Texas summers can bring extreme heat, and losing power during high temperatures can be stressful and uncomfortable. At Oncor, we understand how important reliable electric service is, especially during the hottest months of the year. While our teams work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power when outages occur, there are steps customers can take to stay safe and prepared.

Have a Plan to Beat the Heat

During a power outage, staying cool should be a top priority. Extreme heat can pose serious health risks, particularly for older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions and those without access to air conditioning.

Before an outage occurs, identify places where you can cool down if needed, such as libraries, shopping malls, recreation centers or other community cooling locations. Customers should also monitor local city and county resources, emergency management websites or call 2-1-1 for information on available cooling centers during prolonged outages or extreme heat events.

Additional heat safety tips include:

• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Limit outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day.
• Check on family members, neighbors and older adults who may need assistance.

What to Do During a Power Outage

If your power goes out, the first step is to report the outage and stay informed.

Customers can report outages by:

• Texting OUT to 66267
• Using the MyOncor app
• Visiting Oncor.com/outages
• Calling 888-313-4747

Customers can also sign up for MyOncor Alerts to receive outage updates and restoration information directly.

If you use a portable generator, follow all manufacturer instructions and operate it outdoors only, away from windows, doors and vents. Improper generator use can create serious safety hazards.

Resources for Customers with Medical Needs

Some customers may qualify for Critical Care or Chronic Condition status under Public Utility Commission of Texas guidelines. Information about eligibility and applications is available on Oncor's website.

However, it is important to understand that these designations do not guarantee uninterrupted electric service. Customers who rely on electricity for medical equipment or health needs should maintain a backup plan in case of an outage.

Critical care customers are encouraged to enroll in MyOncor Alerts for notifications about outages, planned work and other service-related updates.

Understanding the Restoration Process

When an outage is reported, Oncor's first priority is determining the cause and identifying the safest way to restore service.

In some situations, power can be restored by rerouting electricity through undamaged equipment. In others, crews must inspect and repair damaged equipment before service can be restored.

Damage assessments help determine:

• The extent of repairs needed
• Materials and equipment required
• Whether specialized crews are needed
• Estimated restoration timelines

Customers may not always see crews working directly in their neighborhood. Restoration work often occurs across a larger section of the electric system, and crews may be repairing equipment elsewhere that must be restored before power can return to a specific area.

Why Restoration Times Sometimes Change

We know customers rely on restoration estimates when making decisions for their families, homes and businesses. Estimated restoration times can change as crews uncover additional damage, encounter safety concerns or determine that specialized equipment or repairs are needed. As crews gather more information and complete repairs, restoration estimates are updated to provide the most accurate information available.

Preparing for Summer Before Outages Happen

While outages can never be completely eliminated, Oncor prepares year-round for periods of increased summer demand.

Preparation efforts include:

• Forecasting summer electric load
• Identifying areas where additional capacity may be needed
• Reviewing equipment performance
• Pruning and trimming trees near power lines
• Upgrading transformers, wires and other equipment

These ongoing investments help strengthen the electric system and support reliable service throughout the summer months.

It's important to remember that while extreme heat can place additional strain on electric equipment, outages are not always caused by heat alone. Vehicle accidents, wildlife, vegetation, equipment damage and severe weather can also interrupt electric service.

Small Steps Can Help Reduce Summer Energy Use

Customers can improve energy efficiency and help manage usage by:

• Closing blinds and curtains to block sunlight
• Using ceiling fans in occupied rooms
• Unplugging electronics when not in use
• Adjusting thermostats a few degrees higher when safe and comfortable

Customers can also find more energy saving tips here.