Traffic updates:
Power outage updates:
At 1:25 Monday morning, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) directed transmission and distribution companies to begin controlled rotating outages as an emergency procedure to avoid a sustained large-scale outage and prevent long-term damage to the electric system.
AEP Texas began rotating the areas affected so that consumers are impacted for a limited amount of time — typically 30 minutes to an hour. The amount of time required to restore service could be delayed in some cases due to system and weather conditions.
If you lose power, turn off your heating, and large appliances to enable smoother service restoration.Once power is restored, you should switch the devices back on gradually over the following 30-to-45 minutes. Taking this step will help prevent a sudden surge in demand after power is restored, which could cause a second outage.
The controlled rotating outages are anticipated to continue over the next 24 hours although this initial projection could change.Energy conservation measures are urgently needed now through Tuesday to help prevent an ERCOT directive to interrupt power. Steps to help reduce electricity use include:
• Turn the thermostat down 2 to 3 degrees during the peak hours of 2-to-8 p.m.
• Set programmable thermostats to lower temperatures when no one is home.
• Limit use of large appliances (i.e., dishwasher, washer, dryer, etc.) to morning or after 8 p.m.
• If you cook indoors from 2-to-8 p.m., use a microwave or slow cooker.
• Close blinds and drapes during late afternoon.
AEP Texas will provide additional information as it becomes available.
AEP Texas, a unit of American Electric Power, delivers electricity to over a million consumers, businesses and industries in south and west Texas. AEP Texas provides regulated energy delivery service to consumers, regardless which Retail Electric Provider they choose. The region headquarters is in Corpus Christi.
Earlier:
The City of Laredo had a meeting earlier today over the cold weather conditions. Here’s the takeaway:
City is asking Laredoans to not use major appliances now till 8pm. Conserve where you can. Lower heaters to about 68 degrees. If you’re out for essentials and see homeless, call police so they can try to get them to seek shelter.
❄️As we prepare for freezing temperatures in the upcoming days, we want to encourage that if you or someone you know is in need of shelter, please share this information. The Salvation Army is at capacity so the following entities will be available:
➡️Holding Institute – 1102 Santa Maria Ave.
➡️Bethany House – 817 Hidalgo St.
According to the National Weather Service, Laredo will experience cold temperatures with a chance of freezing rain on Sunday, February 14, throughout the evening.
TxDot has been prepping roads since the beginning of week and the Laredo Fire department is ready to go if needed. Please stay home if you can, but if you need to be out for essentials or work, drive slowly and cautiously.
The following bridges/overpasses will be closed until at least noon tomorrow.: Lafayette, Meadow (KCS), Washington (LC) bridges.
We should have ice on the road now until tomorrow, so if you don’t need to be driving, don’t. Also, please do not use your stove as a heating source as that could cause other major problems.
