At least 48 hours before you plan to dig on your property for any reason, call 811 to find out if there are underground utility lines in your work area. Bluebonnet will be contacted in order to locate power lines nearby. If you outline the excavation area in white paint beforehand, it will help our representative to find the dig site.
Bluebonnet will identify the location of all power lines connected to meters. You're responsible for locating any power lines that go from the meter to your home or other buildings.

Bluebonnet’s members are key to maintaining the co-op’s electric grid. Each year, countless members contact Bluebonnet to report potential problems with vegetation, poles and power lines. That might include a tree that looks stressed and needs an arborist to determine if it should be removed or a pole that has been ravaged by woodpeckers. You might hear an electric transformer humming, or see a guy wire that has loosened because it’s a favorite spot for cattle to rub against.

Contact us at 800-949-4414 to report a hazard or outage.

The Bluebonnet region is within an area prone to thunderstorms and other severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes, flash floods and hurricanes. When you know the risks and what actions to take, you can better protect your family and property. Check out our storms and outages resources.

Fallen or disconnected power lines are dangerous. Never approach or touch them. Always assume that a downed power line is powered on and follow these instructions:

• Avoid touching the fallen line by hand or with an object such as a pole, broom or stick.
• Avoid touching anything, such as a machine, object or device, or anyone in contact with a fallen power line.
• Keep children and pets away from power lines.
• Avoid driving over a downed power line.
• Call 911 immediately to report a fallen line.

• Identify in advance safe travel routes and official shelters.
• Fill your vehicle's gas tank and keep it as full as possible.
• If you are in the hurricane zone, cover all windows and doors with permanent storm windows or plywood. (Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.)
• Install a generator for emergencies, but never use it indoors — even with a fan — because deadly levels of odorless carbon monoxide can build up and linger.
• Fill bathtub and other large containers with water for sanitary purposes such as flushing toilets.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Unplug small appliances.
• In anticipation of power loss, adjust refrigerator and freezer to coldest temperature to preserve food longer.
• Find alternate ways, such as ice chests, to keep food cold.
• Be aware of downed power lines as they may still be energized. Report downed lines to Bluebonnet or 911.
• Check for gas leaks around your home.
• Avoid drinking or cooking with tap water until you know it is not contaminated.
• If you evacuate, turn off gas, electricity and water.

Learn how to report an outage, what happens on our end in an outage and how to prepare for outages at bluebonnet.coop/outage-center.

Planning ahead can save lives and homes, and offer peace of mind. 

1. Put together an emergency supply kit. FEMA offers a list here. 

2. Discuss escape routes from each room of the house as well as from your neighborhood. 

3. Make sure all family members know how to get in touch with one another even if phone service is disrupted, such as meeting at a designated place or reporting in with emergency responders. 

4. Create a checklist of what to do before you leave, such as boarding or shuttering windows, trimming tree branches that could hit your home, turning off electricity at the circuit breaker or fuse box, and turning off gas at the meter or tank. 

5. Plan what to do with pets and livestock. 

Remember: Evacuate if ordered to do so. Call 211 if you are not sure of the evacuation boundaries and shelter locations.

Sources: Texas.gov; Texas Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) 

Register for emergency alerts

Registering with Warn Central Texas allows emergency personnel in your local community to directly contact you by phone, text or e-mail during a disaster or public safety event, including such weather emergencies as tornados, floods or severe thunderstorms.

Register your cell phone number and e-mail address to get alerts sent to your mobile devices. Go to warncentraltexas.org to register now.

A similar service is available to Washington County residents through that county’s Office of Emergency Management at co.washington.tx.us.

Burleson County also offers alerts.