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Severe winter events have taught us to be prepared for anything
The most predictable thing about winter in Texas: It’s unpredictable. Although average temperatures in the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative region rarely drop below freezing, severe winter events have taught us to be prepared for anything. Take these steps to stay safe and prepare your family and home for an unexpected winter-weather emergency.
1. Create a communication plan
• Your family may not be together
when severe weather hits, so create a plan that includes everyone’s role during an emergency.
• Discuss how you will stay in touch with one another.
• Do not rely on cellphones alone,
as service could be lost.
• Create “know your number” contact cards for everyone’s wallet or bag and consider having an out-of-area emergency contact who won’t be affected by the weather.
• Make a plan to regroup at a designated place.
• Decide who is responsible for household pets’ safety.
2. Download apps and save website URLs
• Federal Emergency Management Agency, fema.gov, and American Red Cross, redcross.org, provide emergency notifications and information
about shelters, first aid and recovery assistance.
• The National Weather Service at
weather.gov (type in your area), local
weather apps, the Weather Channel at weather.com, AccuWeather at accuweather.com and WeatherBug at weatherbug.com provide local and regional forecasts and alerts.
• The Texas Department of Emergency Management at tdem.texas.gov has
safety and weather information.
• Drive Texas, drivetexas.org, has
road-closure information.
3. Stock up on supplies
• Store at least a three-day supply
of non-perishable or canned food items and water, one gallon per person
for each day.
• Make a winter-weather emergency kit that includes blankets, extra warm clothes, sleeping bags, a first-aid kit, portable lights, a cell phone charger and walkie-talkies with extra batteries.
• Keep your gas tank full, and stock your vehicle with items such as a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a towrope and an ice scraper.
4. Prepare your home
• Check heating systems; insulate and seal doors, windows, cracks or holes; repair any roof damage; and clear gutters.
• Secure lightweight outdoor items that could blow away.
• Cut tree branches near or hanging over your roof.
• Ahead of severe weather, insulate exposed pipes, drain outdoor water systems and keep water moving in indoor pipes by dripping all faucets.
• Store a fire extinguisher in a place you can easily reach.
For more tips to stay safe this winter and save money on your electric bill, go here.
Local shelters
The Texas Division of Emergency Management updates a list of available shelters across the state of Texas every hour. If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay during extreme cold weather, visit tdem.texas.gov/warm to find an available shelter near you.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $18,123 grant to the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department for a new generator. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left, are Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet's Brenham-area community representative; Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet Board secretary/treasurer; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Josh Roman, treasurer and firefighter; John Burleson III, fire chief; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative.
The Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department will soon install a new generator at its fire station, enabling the department to serve as a temporary shelter and helping keep communication systems online during power outages, thanks to an $18,123 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $5,036 in matching funds from the VFD, will help the department maintain essential fire and rescue services in the Meyersville area even when the power is out.
“The addition of this generator means we can continue responding to fires, accidents and other emergencies in Washington County without interruption, even if the power goes out,” Meyersville VFD Fire Chief John Burleson III said.
“Thanks to this grant and the supplemental power system it provides, our station can also provide a place of refuge to residents, offering them safety and comfort when it is needed most,” he said. “Without this support, our ability to respond effectively during such events would have been impacted, and we would not have been able to serve as a critical safety resource for the community.”
The generator will be available to power dispatch operations and help ensure the fire station remains fully functional, enabling the department to provide critical public safety services. The Meyersville VFD serves northeastern Washington County, including the communities of Meyersville, Sandy Hill and Wiedeville.
The community grant is one of four grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January 2025. More information is available here
