Johnson City-based Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC), which supplies electricity to Canyon Lake and one million central Texans, said in a statement today that it’s preparing for cold temperatures and potentially inclement weather later this week.
The area is under a cold-weather advisory from 3-9 a.m. Tuesday and there is a 99% chance of precipitation Thursday, according to the U.S. National Weather Service Austin-San Antonio.
Comal County Public Information Officer Cary Zayas said there is now “high confidence” for precipitation late Wednesday through Friday, and “increasing confidence” for a wintry mix of ice, sleet or snow.
PEC Media Affairs and Communications Strategist Kendra Acosta said the utility is monitoring weather reports closely and is prepared to respond.
“Members” or customers are asked to stay in contact and follow these guidelines:
- Sign up for PEC emergency alerts and update contact information by calling 888-554-4732 to speak to an agent between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
- Prepare homes by using weather stripping and caulking to tightly seal windows and doors, especially in any areas where air can enter. Keep faucets on a slow drip to keep pipes from freezing. Catch the dripping water in a clean container, sink, or tub to use if a water system is impacted. If pipes freeze, turn off the main water supply to prevent further damage.
- Keep your PEC account number handy. This number must be used to report an outage.
- Know how to report an outage. Text the word “outage” to 25022 from the mobile number associated with the PEC account or, call PEC’s outage reporting line at 888-883-3379.
- Keep cell phones charged and ready. Remember to charge portable phone battery banks.
- Build an emergency kit that includes items like flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable foods and blankets. Click here for a complete list of items.
- Develop an emergency plan, including what to do in case of an extended outage. PEC will share information about city and area warming centers if/when they are opened. PEC cannot guarantee uninterrupted or continuous power and strongly encourages its members to have an emergency plan, including backup generation if needed.
To keep electric bills low, PEC said customers should set thermostats to 68 degrees or lower and increase settings by one or two degrees at a time if necessary; avoid auxiliary and emergency heat, which use a substantial amount of energy; change air filters monthly and have a certified technician complete yearly maintenance; analyze energy use; understand electric bills; explore alternative rates; and schedule over-the-phone energy assessments.
