System Performing Well Amid Icing in the Hill Country; Crews Remain Ready to Respond
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(JOHNSON CITY, Texas) January 25, 2026—Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) crews remain ready to respond to potential outages as freezing temperatures hold steady across the Texas Hill Country. PEC’s system fared well overnight with minimal outages despite rain, sleet, and below freezing temperatures.
“We didn’t receive as much ice accumulation as we anticipated, and because of proactive planning, we were well-positioned to respond to the relatively small number of outages that have occurred,” said Jason Murray, PEC’s director of safety, system reliability, and emergency preparedness.
“As the inclement weather continues, we will keep a close watch on conditions and remain on standby through the duration of this event,” Murray said.
PEC has been focusing on enhancing the reliability and resiliency of its system, and this has helped PEC experience fewer impacts from the storm. Additionally, the service area primarily saw sleet rather than freezing rain in this event. Sleet typically has less of an impact on a utility system because it freezes solid before hitting a surface, while freezing rain remains liquid as it falls and then freezes on contact with a surface, weighing down power lines and potentially damaging equipment.
Temperatures throughout the Hill Country are expected to remain below freezing through Tuesday morning. In the event of power outages, PEC is committed to restoring power as safely and as quickly as possible.
Members should report outages immediately 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 888-883-3379.
If you see a downed line, please stay far away from it and call 911 immediately.
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.
While we will still be operating during regular business hours, PEC office locations will be closed to the public Monday, January 26.
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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