Cooperative Ready to Respond with Additional Boots on the Ground, Staff, and Supplies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(JOHNSON CITY, Texas) January 23, 2026— Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) continues to prepare for winter weather that is expected to bring precipitation and icy conditions to much of the state beginning Friday evening through Sunday. A Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service now includes many of the counties within PEC’s 8,100 square-mile service area.
“Our transmission and distribution teams have bolstered staffing and resources to ensure we are well-positioned to respond to any outages if they occur,” said PEC’s Chief Operations Officer of Distribution Nathan Fulmer. “If you see our crews working on the side of the road, please move over and slow down for their safety and yours.”
PEC’s proactive preparations include:
- Ensuring we have ample crews who are staged and ready to respond
- Making sure vehicles are stocked and winter-ready
- Confirming facilities are stocked with supplies
- Working with our suppliers to ensure adequate reserves are available
- Ramping up call center staffing as needed
Ice accumulation, if significant, can cause downed lines and outages, regardless of the investments and preventative maintenance PEC does year-round to keep its system strong and resilient. In the event of outages, restoring power as safely and quickly as possible is PEC’s top priority.
“Our service area is widespread with challenging terrain in some areas,” said Fulmer. “While we’re staging crews throughout our region, significant ice accumulation may result in slower response times to ensure our crews remain safe. If you see a downed power line, please stay away and report it immediately.”
Members should report outages by texting the word “outage” to 25022 from the mobile number associated with their PEC account. They can also report outages online at myPEC.com/outage, through SmartHub, or by calling our automated outage reporting line at 888-883-3379. If you see a downed line, call 911 or our emergency report line immediately at 888-883-3379.
We encourage members to plan ahead:
- Prepare your home: Drip faucets to prevent pipes from freezing and wrap outdoor faucets with an insulated cover.
- Charge cell phones and prepare an emergency kit: Include food for people and pets, water, medication, blankets, batteries, chargers, and other essential items.
- Review your emergency plan, including what to do in case of an extended outage: PEC cannot guarantee uninterrupted or continuous power, and strongly encourages all members to develop an emergency plan for backup power or shelter, if needed.
A statewide list of warming centers is available on the Texas Department of Emergency Management’s website. Please remember to check on neighbors, especially those who are elderly and live alone.
PEC will post updates on social media and online at mypec.com. Members can find information on staying prepared at mypec.com/prep and visit mypec.com/outage to view outage maps and find a one-stop-shop for outage needs.
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