DFW power outage/storm preparation: Lessons from 2021 and beyond

February 2021 taught DFW a brutal lesson. Don't get caught unprepared again.

What to have ready:

Water (most critical):

• 1 gallon per person per day, minimum 5-day supply
• Fill bathtub before expected storms (for flushing if pipes burst)
• Keep extra water for pets

Food:

• 5+ days of non-perishable food (canned goods, peanut butter, crackers, protein bars)
• Manual can opener (sounds obvious, forgotten by everyone)
• Cooler + ice if you have freezer food to save

Power:

• Portable battery pack for phones (charged at all times)
• Flashlights + extra batteries (not just your phone flashlight)
• Generator if you can afford one ($300-1,500). Never run indoors. Source: ready.gov
• Solar-powered phone charger ($20-30 on Amazon)

Heat (winter storms):

• Extra blankets, sleeping bags
• Know how to shut off your water at the main valve (to prevent pipe bursts). Source: your city's water utility website.
• Pipe insulation for exposed pipes ($5 at Home Depot)

Communication:

• Download offline maps on Google Maps
• Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather alerts)
• Know your city's emergency management page

DFW-specific contacts:

• Oncor outage reporting: oncor.com or (888) 313-4747
• Dallas Water Utilities: (214) 651-1441
• Fort Worth Water: (817) 392-4477
• ERCOT grid status: ercot.com

Sources:

• Ready.gov — emergency preparedness
• FEMA.gov
• Oncor emergency resources

Don't wait until the next storm. Prep now.