Icy tree branches could cause power outages, Hill Country electricity providers warn

SAN ANTONIO. Electricity providers in the Hill Country are bracing for possible power outages this week as freezing rain hits south Texas.

Ice began to build up on power lines around Fredericksburg on Monday, Central Texas Electric Co-Op (CTEC) CEO Tachi Hinojosa said.

“The main problem when it comes to icing… will be trees that break on the line,” he said. “We are preparing for shutdowns. We believe that the question is not “if”, but “when”.

CTEC serves parts of Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Llano, Mason, and San Saba counties.

“Trees make a big difference in terms of outages, whether it’s a winter storm like it is right now or 30 mph winds,” Hinojosa said.

Hinojosa said CTEC sent its reserve crews home on Monday to rest and prepare for night shifts. Workers stocked up with materials needed to repair failed power lines and poles.

The utility will call on additional workers on Tuesday to answer calls and take messages about outages, Hinojos said.

Many Texas residents may experience power outages during cold weather, but ERCOT predicts the state’s power grid will keep up with power demand.

Icy weather could damage some power lines, but forecasters don’t expect temperatures to drop before Christmas. On the eve of the holiday, online conditions were much tougher than on Monday.

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