How to Check Power Outages by Zip Code in Texas
It's frustrating to lose power, particularly if you don't know why or when you'll regain it. If you're in Texas and have a power outage, checking what's happening in your area is not too difficult. This guide will show you how you can use your zip code to check for outage information from your electricity provider. You'll get the news you need without needing to make phone calls and stand in the shadows waiting to be informed of what's going on.
The First Step: Identifying Your Texas Electricity Provider
Why Knowing Your Provider Matters
Unlike other states that have centralized power control, Texas has several electricity providers for different areas. Every provider has its own outage map and outage reporting system. You, therefore, cannot have a single website for all Texas power outages. It is your local electricity utility company that monitors and reports power problems for their service areas. They are the only ones who have the best information on outages that impact your house.
Major Electricity Providers in Texas
Texas has several major electricity providers, each covering specific regions:
Oncor - Serves North Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding areas
CenterPoint Energy - Covers the Houston metropolitan area
AEP Texas - Operates in South and West Texas, including Corpus Christi and parts of the Rio Grande Valley
Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) - Services parts of North and West Texas
El Paso Electric - Serves the El Paso region
Austin Energy - Provides power to the Austin area
CPS Energy - Supplies electricity to San Antonio and portions of surrounding counties
The provider serving your home depends entirely on your location and zip code. Some areas might have only one provider available, while others might have multiple options.
How to Find Your Electricity Provider
Not sure which company delivers your electricity? Here are three easy ways to identify your provider:
Check Your Electricity Bill
Your monthly electricity bill will clearly show your provider's name and contact information. This is the quickest and most reliable method to confirm which company services your address.
Search Online
If you don't have a bill handy, try searching online with your zip code and terms like "electricity provider" or "utility company Texas." Many providers have tools on their websites where you can enter your address to check if they service your location.
Ask Your Landlord or Property Manager
If you are a tenant, the landlord or property manager would know which utility company provides electricity to the property. This information can be procured for you with a call or text.
Your retailer (the company you pay for your electricity plan) could be different from your provider (the company that maintains the power lines that provide electricity). For checking outages, you need to call the provider and not the retailer.
Five Methods to Check Power Outages Using Your Texas Zip Code
Once you've located your electricity provider, you can then use several means of verifying power outages within your area. Below are the best means to stay informed:
1. Utilize Utility Company Websites
Direct Outage Maps
All of the large Texas electricity providers have interactive outage maps on their websites. They show current information about actual outages in their service territories. During major events like storms, maps are the most useful tools for customers.
How to Navigate to Outage Maps
Go to your electricity company's website and look for pages that are labeled as "Outages," "Outage Center," "Storm Center," or "Outage Map." These websites are most likely found in the main navigation menu or headered on the top of the homepage. Some utilities may require you to sign up to obtain detailed outage information.
Entering Your Zip Code
To find outage information specific to your area, enter your zip code into the search box on the outage map page. The map will automatically zoom in on your area, showing color-coded areas indicating outages in your area. For some areas, you may need to click on individual areas to see more detailed information regarding the outage.
Interpreting the Map
When viewing an outage map, you'll usually see colored areas or symbols that mark where outages are occurring. The map will show the number of customers affected in each area, estimated time of restoration if known, and the cause of the outage if known. Most maps also show the status of repair crews, whether they have been dispatched or are already present.
Examples of Texas Utility Outage Maps
Oncor: Offers a comprehensive outage map with street-level detail
CenterPoint Energy: Provides a color-coded map with outage clusters
AEP Texas: Features an interactive map with filters for different types of outages
TNMP: Offers a simple but effective map showing affected areas
2. Leverage Utility Company Mobile Apps
Convenience and Real-Time Updates
Utility company mobile apps offer several advantages over websites. They allow push notifications that alert you to outages at your location and provide real-time updates as restoration efforts progress. Most apps will function with limited internet connectivity and can utilize your phone's location to automatically show outages near your current location.
Most of the utility apps feature interactive outage maps similar to the web versions, one-touch outage reporting, and estimated restoration times. You can save more than a single address to monitor, view outage history for your address, and receive restoration alerts.
Where to Download Utility Apps
All major Texas utilities offer free mobile apps available on both iOS and Android platforms:
Oncor: Search for "MyOncor" in app stores
CenterPoint Energy: Download their official mobile app
AEP Texas: Their customer app includes outage reporting features
TNMP: Access their mobile-friendly website interface
3. Explore Third-Party Outage Tracking Websites
Several third-party sites collect and display power outage information from a range of utilities. Such sites are helpful if you don't know which utility company provides your electricity or want to see outages across a broader area. Information may not be as current as on official utility sites and accuracy can vary significantly between sites.
Popular third-party outage trackers:
PowerOutage.US: Aggregates data from utilities nationwide
Down Detector: Collects user reports of service disruptions
OutageMaps.com: Compiles outage maps from multiple providers
Always verify important outage information with your official utility provider before making critical decisions.
4. Check Social Media for Updates
Most Texas electricity providers have live social media accounts that provide constant updates when outages occur. Twitter is generally the most active site for live outage reports, while Facebook pages tend to provide more detailed updates and restoration status. Follow your provider's official pages to receive these updates.
While these have benefits, social media messages may point to larger outages affecting many customers, with minimal information about your specific neighborhood. Response times to specific questions can be significantly varied during large events, and information isn't always as fresh as official outage maps.
5. Contact the Utility by Phone
When other methods aren't available, call your provider's dedicated outage reporting line:
Oncor: 1-888-313-4747
CenterPoint Energy: 1-800-332-7143
AEP Texas: 1-866-223-8508
TNMP: 1-888-866-7456
These data is typically printed on your electricity bill and on the website of your energy supplier.
When calling in an outage, have your service address, account number (if known), phone number on your account, and information regarding the outage ready. Tell them if your neighbors are experiencing the same problem and any extraordinary conditions such as fallen power lines or noises preceding the outage. Some utilities provide automated systems that can identify your phone number if it's tied to your account, so it will take less time to report.
Step-by-Step Example: Check an Oncor Power Outage by Zip Code
Let's walk through a specific example of how to check for power outages using Oncor, the largest electricity provider in Texas. This process is similar to other major Texas utilities, though some specific features may vary.
Step 1: Open Oncor's Website
Open your web browser and navigate to Oncor's official website at www.oncor.com. The homepage typically displays important alerts during major outage events.
Step 2: Find the Outage Map Section
Look at the main navigation menu at the top of the page and click on "Outages & Weather." This will take you to Oncor's outage information page.
Step 3: Access the Storm Center Map
On the Outages & Weather page, click on "View Outage Map" or "Storm Center." Alternatively, you can go directly to stormcenter.oncor.com in your browser.
Step 4: Enter Your Location
Once the map loads:
Locate the search box in the upper portion of the map interface
Type in your 5-digit Texas zip code (for example, 75201 for downtown Dallas) or your complete street address
Click the search button or press Enter
Step 5: View Outages in Your Area
The map will automatically zoom to show your location and any active outages nearby. Remember that outage symbols are placed near the electrical equipment where the problem originates, not necessarily directly over affected homes.
Step 6: Check Outage Details
Click on any outage icon near your location to see important information:
The number of customers affected by this outage
The estimated restoration time (when available)
When the outage was first reported
Current status of restoration work
Note that the outage map updates every 10 minutes, though updates may be slower during major events when the site experiences high traffic.
Step 7: Report Your Outage if Needed
If you're experiencing an outage but don't see it indicated on the map:
Click on the "Report Outage" option on the Storm Center page
Provide your address or account information when prompted
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your report
Alternative reporting methods include:
Calling Oncor directly at 888-313-4747
Texting "OUT" to 66267 (if you've registered for My Oncor Alerts)
Using the MyOncor mobile app (available for iOS and Android)
Step 8: Sign Up for Outage Notifications (Optional)
To receive automatic updates about current and future outages:
Text "REG" to 66267 to register for My Oncor Alerts
Follow the prompts to complete your registration
Select your preferred notification methods (text, email, or phone calls)
Following these steps will help you stay informed about power outages in your area and allow you to make informed decisions during these events.
Track Texas Power Outages By Zip Code!
Having the capacity to look up power outages by zip code tells you when your lights will go out. First, learn your local electric company from your bill or Google search. Next, utilize their website, phone app, or phone number to locate outage information for your area. Bookmark your provider's phone number and their outage map in the event of an emergency. Consider investing in battery backup solutions for critical needs during extended outages. Sign up for text alerts to receive automatic updates about the outages in your home. With these simple steps, you will never be in the dark about what is happening with your power and when service will return.