TYLER, TEXAS (January 26, 2026) – Oncor appreciates the patience of our customers as teams continue working to restore power for East Texans impacted by the recent winter storm. Oncor expects power to be substantially restored to customers by Tuesday evening, though many will be restored sooner. As restoration has concluded in other regions of Oncor’s service area, additional personnel have continued to arrive in the hardest hit areas of Cherokee, Angelina and Nacogdoches counties to further support response efforts. As of 6:30 p.m. Monday, less than 5,000 customers are without power across Oncor’s eastern service region.

“We recognize how difficult it is for our customers to be without power, especially in these cold temperatures. Ice impacts continue to cause extremely unique restoration challenges for our workers,” said Tom Trimble, east region customer service executive. “Many times, our workers have repaired equipment only for heavy ice to then snap another tree or large branch that falls into power lines. Despite these challenges, our crews remain dedicated to getting our customers’ lights back on, and we’ll keep working around the clock until the job is done.”

Due to the extreme weight of ice accumulations, this damage is unpredictable and is even impacting healthy trees out of our clearance areas that would not normally contact power lines. Breaking trees and limbs have also made access to some outage sites challenging. Oftentimes, before restoration work can begin, tree-trimming crews must clear debris or proactively remove large branches before restoration personnel can safely access an outage area, remove damaged equipment and re-set or re-install utility poles, equipment and power lines (see East Texas damage photos here). 

As ice accumulations begin thawing, it’s possible for sagging branches to suddenly spring up into lines and cause additional outage impacts. Any melting that occurs Monday will refreeze overnight. The cycle of thawing and refreezing can result in new or repeat outages.

Oncor encourages customers to report all power outages immediately. Reporting helps us more quickly identify locations where additional repairs may be needed further down the lines that supply power to homes and businesses. 

Travel remains extremely hazardous and we continue to encourage customers not to travel unless necessary to help keep roadways clear for Oncor restoration personnel and other first responders. Texas’ “Move Over or Slow Down” law requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching utility vehicles stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.

Safety for employees and the public remains Oncor’s number one priority. Please keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Stay weather aware, monitor local media and have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts. Check on neighbors and elderly or vulnerable residents.
• Register for MyOncor Alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, download the MyOncor App and follow Oncor on Facebook and X. 
• If you see a downed power line, stay away, keep people and pets away and call 911 immediately. 
• To find warming centers opened and operated by local officials, visit tdem.texas.gov/warm. Locations and availability may change. For the latest information, please call 211 or check your city and county webpages.
• Helpful individual and family resources are available on the TDEM Disaster Portal. 
• Even experienced drivers can lose control on ice, and stopping distances can increase by up to ten times, causing vehicles to slide without warning. For those who must travel, check road conditions at DriveTexas.organd review TXDOT’s Safety Guide for Winter Travel. Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses, and shaded areas as they tend to freeze first.
• While prioritized during power restoration events, critical care designations do not guarantee an uninterrupted power supply, especially during severe weather. Customers who rely on electricity for life-saving medical devices should have a plan in case of power outages. Anyone experiencing an emergency event should call 911 immediately.
• If possible, bring pets inside during cold weather. If pets must be outside, ensure they have adequate shelter and access to non-frozen drinking water. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and also make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water.