Nearly five years after Winter Storm Uri exposed deep cracks in Texas’ power and emergency preparedness systems, the state is once again bracing for severe winter weather. An arctic blast is expected to bring dangerously cold temperatures beginning Friday morning, along with the possibility of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across large portions of Texas. The cold is forecast to linger from Friday evening into early next week.
For many Texans, the memories of February 2021 remain vivid. Uri left millions without power, caused water systems to fail, and killed at least 246 people. Any mention of ice and extreme cold now raises an unavoidable question: Is Texas actually ready this time?
State officials say the answer is yes — with important caveats.
What to Expect From This Storm
The most immediate concern is ice. Even modest accumulations can be disruptive, especially in a state not built for prolonged freezing weather. Officials do not expect widespread power outages, but they are clear that localized outages are still likely, particularly if ice-laden tree branches fall onto power lines.
That’s why state and local leaders are emphasizing caution and preparation over confidence. Road conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly once precipitation begins, prompting officials to urge Texans to stay home during the worst conditions if possible.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux put it simply during a Wednesday news conference:
“If you don't have to go outside, please don't.”
State Preparations Are Already Underway
In advance of the storm, Gov. Greg Abbott announced a series of coordinated steps across state agencies. These include:
Working with local governments to update warming center maps
Monitoring water and wastewater systems
Pre-positioning firefighters, state troopers, and National Guard resources
Treating roadways to prevent ice buildup
The Texas Department of Transportation began treating roads midweek, a preventative step aimed at reducing accidents and keeping emergency routes open.
Cities are also stepping up. Dallas plans to open facilities at Fair Park to shelter people experiencing homelessness. If outages become widespread, additional sites may open to provide warmth and phone charging. Unlike during Uri, these facilities are now equipped with generators thanks to federal funding secured after the 2021 disaster.
Is the Texas Power Grid Ready?
The stability of the electrical grid remains the biggest concern for residents — and the most scrutinized piece of Texas’ winter preparedness.
The grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), failed catastrophically during Winter Storm Uri. Since then, the state has faced repeated questions about whether the grid can withstand extreme weather.
Officials and energy experts say the grid is in significantly better shape than it was in 2021. ERCOT is currently projecting that Texas will have enough power to meet demand throughout the upcoming cold snap.
The agency stated:
“Based on expected weather conditions, ERCOT anticipates there will be sufficient generation to meet demand this winter.”
According to Matthew Boms, executive director of the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, two major changes explain that confidence.
First, there is simply more power on the grid than there was during Uri. Much of that new capacity comes from renewable energy and battery storage.
“That's a gigantic change,” Boms said. “We didn't really have battery storage on the grid during Winter Storm Uri, and now we have thousands of megawatts of batteries. That's a huge asset when we have this kind of winter event.”
Second, Texas lawmakers mandated winterization improvements for natural gas facilities after Uri. That matters because natural gas remains the backbone of Texas electricity, providing more than half of the state’s power — especially during cold weather.
When gas production freezes, power plants lose fuel. At the same time, demand spikes as Texans heat their homes. That combination proved disastrous in 2021.
In response, the Legislature directed the Railroad Commission of Texas to strengthen oversight of natural gas infrastructure. This led to the creation of the Critical Infrastructure Division, which identifies essential gas facilities, ensures they are weather-ready, and prioritizes them for electricity during emergencies.
The agency inspected more than 7,400 natural gas facilities last year.
Why Power Outages Are Still Possible
Even with a stronger grid, ice remains the wild card.
Ice accumulation on power lines and tree branches can add hundreds of pounds of weight, causing lines to sag, snap, or pull down utility poles entirely. Utilities across the state say they have crews ready to respond, but repairs can take time — especially if conditions are dangerous.
Mark Bell, president of the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, said utilities are actively preparing:
“In areas that will be affected by the winter storm, electric generating companies and utilities are implementing their emergency operations plans, mobilizing staff, re-checking weatherization measures, procuring needed fuel and equipment, among other activities.”
In the Panhandle, Xcel Energy has spent years replacing weaker poles after a pre-Uri ice storm caused widespread outages. Still, even upgraded infrastructure has limits.
“In a worst-case scenario with ice loading, you'll get a domino effect with poles,” said Chester Brown, an operations director for Xcel Energy in Amarillo.
Austin residents know this problem well. Ice storms in recent years, including one in early 2023, knocked out power for tens of thousands of customers due largely to falling tree limbs.
Utilities have increased vegetation management efforts, trimming trees near power lines. The most effective long-term solution — burying power lines — remains prohibitively expensive. A city-commissioned estimate found burying Austin’s entire above-ground system would cost $50 billion.
As Boms noted, doing it everywhere would dramatically raise electric bills. Instead, utilities are selectively burying lines in the most outage-prone areas.
Austin Energy officials say they are prepared and do not expect widespread outages, though they are closely monitoring conditions.
“A lot can move between now and Friday night,” said General Manager Stuart Reilly. “But so far, the predictions aren't for the worst-case scenario.”
What Happens Next
Gov. Abbott is expected to hold a news conference Thursday alongside leaders from emergency management, public safety, transportation, and ERCOT. The briefing will likely focus on final preparations, grid conditions, and public safety guidance as the storm approaches.
For Texans, the takeaway is straightforward: the state is better prepared than it was in 2021, but winter weather still carries real risks. The grid is stronger, emergency planning is more robust, and lessons from Uri have clearly shaped the response.
