First, the only rule that really matters
See a downed power line, smell gas, or someone's in danger? Call 911 immediately and stay far away from the line. Assume every downed wire is live. Everything else on this page can wait until you're safe.
What to do, in order
Four steps. The second one is the one nobody tells you.
Check if it's just you
Is the whole street dark or just your home? If only yours, check your breaker panel first — a tripped main breaker looks exactly like an outage.
Call your utility (TDU), not your provider
Your retail provider (TXU, Reliant, etc.) can't fix an outage and can't even see it. The utility that owns the wires restores power. Find your TDU's number below.
Report it and get an ETA
Reporting helps crews map the outage. Most TDUs give an estimated restoration time by phone, text, or their outage map.
Stay safe while you wait
Keep the fridge closed, unplug sensitive electronics to protect against surges, and never touch a downed line — assume every one is live.
Call your utility, not your provider
Your provider (the name on your plan) can't fix an outage. These are the utilities that actually own the wires and restore power. Find yours and save the number now.
Before the next storm
Texas weather does not warn twice. Ten minutes now beats scrambling in the dark.
- Charge phones and any battery packs before the storm hits
- Fill water containers and have a few days of non-perishable food
- Know where your breaker panel is and how to reset it safely
- Save your TDU's outage number in your phone now, not during the outage
- Have flashlights (not candles) and fresh batteries within reach
- If someone relies on medical equipment, have a backup power plan
Outage questions, answered
The power is out — do I call TXU / Reliant / my provider?
No. Your retail provider only handles billing and your plan — they don't own the wires and can't restore power. Call your TDU (the utility): Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP, or TNMP, depending on where you live. Their numbers are on this page.
How do I know which utility (TDU) is mine?
It's set by your address, not your choice. It's printed on your bill under "TDU" or "delivery charges," and our outage map and ESIID lookup can confirm it. In DFW it's usually Oncor; in Houston, CenterPoint.
Will an outage change my bill?
You're only billed for power you actually use, so an outage means less usage, not more. If your next bill looks off after an outage, that's a billing question for your provider — or a good reason to check your rate.
Power back on? Make sure your plan is right.
Once you're safe and the lights are back, take 5 minutes to check you're not overpaying the rest of the year. Enter your ZIP for the TRUE cost of every plan.