We try to offer estimated restoration times when possible, but there are numerous factors that can complicate power restoration. When power lines are down or equipment is damaged, it can take longer to restore power.
2. Use Bluebonnet's Outage Alerts text service with a smartphone. Members with a cell phone on file are automatically enrolled. Save 85700 in your phone, perhaps as "Bluebonnet outages." Then, you can text OUT to report an outage, STATUS to request an update, HELP to get more information, STOP to quit and BBOUTAGE to re-enroll.
2. Find out if your neighbor’s power also is out.
3. Visit bluebonnet.coop on a battery powered laptop, tablet or smartphone. Click on the Outage Map button. A gray area with a black border represents Bluebonnet’s service area. The page updates automatically every 5 minutes.
4. If you have an outage, call 800-949-4414. If you’re signed up for Outage Alert text service, text OUT to 85700.
Look for more information about outage reporting and planned outages in our
Frequently Asked Questions.
8 things to have when the power goes out
1. Flashlights and spare batteries
2. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
3. A cooler, ice, freezer packs (to keep food colder longer) and canned food (plus a manual can opener)
4. A telephone that doesn’t need outside electricity to work
5. Drinking water — at least a gallon per person, per day
6. A first-aid kit and prescription medications (and copies of prescriptions), eyeglasses, hearing aids and other necessary health equipment
7. Copies of important documents and records, including photo IDs and insurance papers
8. Cash — credit cards and ATMs may not work in power outages
Emergency warning services
Registering with Warn Central Texas allows emergency personnel in your local community to directly contact you by phone, text or e-mail during a disaster or public safety event, including such weather emergencies as tornados, floods or severe thunderstorms.
Emergency response teams will send warnings about dangerous conditions and situations as events unfold. They can quickly give specific directions that affect your neighborhood such as evacuation orders and directions to shelters.
The Capital Area Council of Governments has partnered for this emergency warning service with communities in much of the Bluebonnet service area including Bastrop, Travis, Hays, Caldwell, Lee, Williams, Fayette and Blanco counties.
Register your cell phone number and e-mail address to get alerts sent to your mobile devices. Go to warncentraltexas.org to register now.
A similar service is available to Washington County residents through that county’s Office of Emergency Management at co.washington.tx.us.
Burleson County also offers alerts.
Suggestions and tips for prolonged outages
What do you do to minimize the effects of a prolonged power outage? Here are suggestions and tips:
1. STAY AWAY from damaged electric equipment and downed power lines. An energized line can look just like one that’s not. That power can arc quite a distance from the line, too. Stay far away from downed lines and call 911, then our Control Room at 800-949-4414.
If a line falls on a vehicle you are in, don’t get out and don’t touch anything outside the vehicle. The tires insulate and protect you until help arrives. Just wait for emergency workers to reach you.
2. LIGHTS: Use flashlights and battery-operated lanterns, not candles if possible. They can cause fires. Keep curtains closed and rooms darkened to preserve cooler temperatures.
3. FOOD: Keep your freezer and refrigerator doors shut, because each time you open the door cold air escapes. Food will stay frozen between 36 and 48 hours in a full refrigerator freezer, and up to 24 hours if the freezer is half-full. Different foods thaw at different rates: When in doubt, throw it out.
Unopened food will stay cold for only about 4 hours in the refrigerated portion of your appliance. If you are cooking food, do not use the outdoor grill or a charcoal fueled barbecue inside your house, as they can feed carbon monoxide into the house.
Use food from the refrigerator first, then the freezer.
Contact your doctor about medications you fear may have spoiled.
4. PORTABLE GENERATORS: Only use a generator away from the house, never inside, as it can generate carbon monoxide; do not connect it to your home’s electrical system. They can also cause electric shock or fire, so use great care. Generators should be used to power only a few small appliances or lights. Make sure all electrical devices are off before you connect them to a generator, and once the generator is running, switch devices on one at a time. Shut them down again when power is restored.
Portable generators can be dangerous and require care when in use. They should be installed by a licensed electrician. Be sure you are comfortable operating one before you use it. If you are unsure, try to avoid using it until you can get enough information to knowledgably power one. More information on backup generators can be found at Energy.gov
Also, the American Red Cross has information about safe generator use on its
website.
5. BEFORE THE POWER IS RESTORED: Disconnect appliances that would automatically turn on when the power is restored. That includes the water heater, TVs, computers and anything else. Leave a couple of lamps on to signal when power is restored, then turn on one appliance at a time. Also a short surge could damage some computers and other devices. Put them on a surge protector if possible.
6. LEAVE THE HOUSE: If the heat is too much, consider leaving the house until the evening. Consider going to a mall, movie theater, library or other public facility that has power. If someone is in need of medical care and cannot tolerate a prolonged outage, transport that person to a local hospital or a location where power is available.
7. IF YOU STAY: Move to the lowest level of your house because cool air falls; wear lightweight, light-colored clothes; drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol.
Sources: Ready.gov; ConEd.com; Pacific Gas & Electric; redcross.org; Direct Energy
The Bluebonnet region is within an area prone to thunderstorms and other severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes, flash floods and hurricanes. When you know the risks and what actions to take, you can better protect your family and property.