Oncor Power Outage? Here’s What’s Happening—and What You Can Do About It
If you’ve landed on this page, chances are the lights just went out—or maybe they flickered, your Wi-Fi cut off, and you’re suddenly wondering: “Is this just me, or is something going on?” If you’re in Texas and your electricity comes through Oncor, it’s likely part of a broader outage affecting your area. Power outages happen. But knowing why they happen, what you can do while the power is down, and how to prepare for the next one can make all the difference. This guide breaks down everything you need to know—clearly, calmly, and with practical steps to help you stay in control.
What Is Oncor and Why Does It Matter?
Oncor Electric Delivery isn’t the company that sends you a monthly electric bill—but it’s the one running the infrastructure that gets electricity to your home. Oncor functions as the backbone of Texas’s power delivery system—managing more than 143,000 miles of lines and supplying electricity to over 13 million people.
In cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, and many others, Oncor is the assigned Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU) responsible for getting power to your home. And you can’t choose or switch from Oncor—it’s determined by where you live.
When a power outage occurs, Oncor is responsible for fixing it—even if your electricity provider is someone else, like TXU Energy, Reliant, or Direct Energy.
Still Confused? Here's a Simple Example:
Let’s say you live in Dallas, and your home suddenly loses power.
Every month, you pay your electricity bill to TXU Energy—they’re your Retail Electric Provider (REP).
But the company that actually delivers the electricity to your home, through the poles, wires, and meters, is Oncor—your Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU).
If there’s an outage, it’s Oncor’s job to fix it, not TXU’s.
On the other hand, if you want to:
Change your electricity plan
Switch to a renewable energy option
Ask about billing or rates …then you’ll need to contact TXU Energy, not Oncor. This separation between who you pay and who maintains the infrastructure is unique to Texas’ deregulated energy market—but once you get the hang of it, it makes navigating outages much easier.
What Causes Oncor Power Outages?
1. Extreme Weather Events: The Top Culprit
Power outages in Texas can be caused by a variety of factors—some predictable, others less so. Here are the most common reasons the power might go out:
Unpredictable Texas weather may place immense stress on transmission and distribution lines:
Thunderstorms and high winds can topple trees or power poles, severing physical connections.
Lightning strikes often damage transformers or overload circuits, triggering shutdowns.
Ice storms—like the infamous 2021 winter freeze—can freeze lines solid, snap branches onto wires, and immobilize entire regions.
Flash floods can submerge underground equipment or substations, forcing emergency shutdowns to prevent electrical hazards.
*Weather-related outages are hard to predict but usually affect large areas, often requiring multi-day repairs.
2. Grid Overload and Peak Demand Stress
With an independent electric grid managed by ERCOT (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas), Texas operates outside of the national power system. During extreme heat—especially in July and August—demand can skyrocket as millions of homes rely on air conditioning. If demand approaches the grid’s maximum capacity, ERCOT may issue load reduction orders, potentially triggering:
Rolling blackouts, where power is shut off to certain areas in timed intervals
Voltage reductions, causing lights to dim and appliances to underperform
*While these outages are intentional, they’re still disruptive. Oncor implements ERCOT’s instructions in real time, balancing demand and infrastructure limits to prevent widespread blackouts.
3. Vegetation and Tree Interference
Outages can happen even on clear, calm days—when trees or plants near power lines move with the wind or grow into the lines over time:
Overhanging branches may brush up against energized lines, causing electrical shorts
Falling limbs during high winds are a frequent cause of single-home or block-level outages *Outages caused by vegetation are common in suburban neighborhoods and heavily wooded zones, especially during spring storms or dry, windy conditions.
4. Construction Damage and Vehicle Collisions
Digging projects and road construction for infrastructure works near power lines can sometimes result in:
Underground line strikes
Pole damage
Transformer damage from car accidents
*Although localized, these events can disrupt service for hours while crews work to isolate the damage and complete repairs.
5. Equipment Failures and Aging Infrastructure
Like any complex system, electrical infrastructure ages—and sometimes breaks.
Over time, transformers, switches, and underground cables degrade
Sudden equipment failure can trip protective systems, cutting power to prevent further damage
In newer communities, installation defects or overloads during expansion can lead to repeated outages
*While Oncor’s grid-monitoring tools help speed up detection and response, some damage still needs on-site repairs—especially in less accessible locations.
6. Planned Outages for Maintenance or Upgrades
Not all outages are emergencies. Sometimes, Oncor intentionally shuts down a portion of the grid to:
Upgrade substations or switching equipment
Replace aging transformers
Trim trees or clear debris from around high-voltage lines
*These planned outages are usually communicated in advance and scheduled during off-peak hours to minimize disruption. Still, they can catch some residents by surprise—especially if notices are missed or affected areas are broader than expected.
💡How to Check If There’s an Outage in Your Area
If you’re in the dark, the first step is to confirm whether you’re part of a known outage. Thankfully, Oncor provides a live outage map where you can see real-time updates.
How to check:
Visit: stormcenter.oncor.com
Enter your ZIP code or address to see:
If you’re in an affected zone
How many customers are impacted
Estimated restoration time (if available)
How to report an outage:
Call Oncor: 888-313-4747 (Service 24/7)
Text “OUT” to 66267 (Quickly report to Oncor without calling. Phone number registered with Oncor required)
What You Can Do During a Power Outage
Once you’ve confirmed the outage, here’s how to stay safe and minimize disruption:
1. Unplug sensitive electronics
Protect TVs, computers, and kitchen appliances from power surges when electricity is restored.
2. Preserve food and water
Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to maintain cold temperatures. A full fridge stays cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer for up to 48 hours.
Open doors as little as possible to keep the cold in.
Use ice or dry ice if the outage lasts longer.
Check food temps once power returns. If food has been above 40°F (4.4°C) for over 2 hours, or smells or looks off—throw it out to stay safe.
3. Use flashlights, not candles
Candles may seem like a simple solution, but they pose a fire risk—especially if the outage lasts overnight.
4. Stay cool (or warm)
In summer, close blinds to block sunlight and avoid exertion. In winter, layer clothing and insulate windows if possible.
5. Stay informed
In summer, close blinds to block sunlight and avoid exertion. In winter, layer clothing and insulate windows if possible.
Use your phone—if charged—to check updates from city websites, power providers, or weather apps. And you can also keep a battery-powered radio as a backup.
Planning Ahead: Backup Power That Makes Sense
If you’re experiencing your first Oncor outage, you may be treating it as a one-time inconvenience. But in Texas, outages—whether caused by a winter freeze or summer overload—are becoming increasingly common.
That’s where preparation pays off.
Gas generators have long been a common backup option during power outages—though not without drawbacks: they’re noisy, emit fumes, require fuel storage, and can’t be used indoors.
A Smarter Alternative: Portable Battery Power
In contrast, battery-powered backup systems provide a cleaner, quieter alternative—with no fumes, less noise, and greater indoor flexibility. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 is one such solution—a next-generation portable power station built to keep your home running during blackouts. Without diving into a sales pitch, here’s what makes it worth mentioning:
It’s powerful enough to run major appliances like refrigerators, routers, lights, and even some HVAC(Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
It’s expandable, meaning you can add extra batteries or connect it to solar panels.
It charges fast from wall outlets, solar, or EV stations—whichever is most available.
It’s silent and safe for indoor use, unlike gas generators. If you’re looking to avoid the stress of future outages—and want a solution that’s easy to manage and environmentally friendly—the DELTA Pro 3 is a system to consider.
When to Seek Help
Not every outage is just an inconvenience. Know when it’s time to reach out for help:
Downed power lines: Stay far away and report immediately to Oncor or 911.
Medical devices affected: If your
CPAP(Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), oxygen machine, or other essential medical equipment goes offline, get to a powered location or emergency shelter.Extended outages: If the outage lasts more than a few hours, check your city or county website for shelter availability or cooling/warming centers.
Final Thoughts: Stay Ready, Not Reactive
An Oncor power outage can feel disruptive and uncertain—but with the right information and preparation, you can stay safe, comfortable, and even productive while you wait for power to return. Bookmark the outage map. Keep your emergency kit up to date. And if outages are becoming more than a rare occurrence in your area, consider investing in backup power that fits your lifestyle. The best time to prepare for the next outage? Before the lights go out again.