Stats Don’t Lie… Blackouts Can Be Lengthy & Dangerous
When something occurs in your life every day or maybe every week, you prepare for it.
Like hunger. You know you’re going to be hungry every day. So, you prepare by placing food in your fridge, freezer, and pantry.
Like driving. You know you’re going to have to drive somewhere every day or every week. So, you prepare by pumping gas into your vehicle’s tank.
But when something occurs only occasionally, we tend to forget about it. And then act surprised when it happens.
Like power outages. They may not be frequent. But they happen often enough that we should be ready for them.
Many Report Lengthy Outages
One in four households nationwide is without power at least once a year. Sometimes more often. That’s according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s recent American Housing Survey. This represents about 34 million homes.
Now, the outage may last only an hour or two. In which case it’s usually more of an inconvenience than a big problem.
But 70% of those households reported experiencing at least one outage of six hours or longer. That’s plenty of time to spoil food you bought with your hard-earned money.
Even more concerning about lengthy power outages is our health. Many people are dependent on life-sustaining electrical medical equipment. More than 14 million households contain medical devices requiring electricity.
Blackouts Affect the Disabled Disproportionately
Power outages are especially disruptive and dangerous for those with disabilities. As well as their caretakers.
In 2023, over 28% of the households experiencing at least one power outage per year included at least one person with a disability.
Severe weather is the number one cause for these outages. In the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, and blizzards. As well as heat waves and cold spells.
Other factors include human error, including poor maintenance. Plus system malfunctions. Traffic accidents. Even animals getting into electrical equipment.
Texas Grid Is Under Attack
We’ve all become painfully aware in recent years that our electric grids are old and vulnerable.
Not everyone knows that Texas has its own electric grid. This grid received plenty of attention in 2021 when Winter Storm Uri struck.
Freezing temperatures knocked out power to millions in the Lone Star State. Pipes froze. Stores closed. Roads were impassable.
At least 425 people in Texas died from the storm. And many others suffered injuries. Damage to property was estimated at more than $25 billion.
Will There Be Another Winter Storm Uri?
Some say that Winter Storm Uri was a freak accident. And will probably never occur again. But in January of this year, a winter storm disrupted warm temperatures in Texas.
It caused the state’s main power company to hit its peak load.
Chris Coleman is the chief meteorologist for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. He has some alarming news for Texas residents. He says that while he expects a warm winter overall, there will be at least one extreme cold event.
“The more I look at this winter, the more cold potential I see,” he said. Coleman added that there is a heightened risk of significant cold spells in January or February.
Five of the past eight winters in Texas have followed this pattern. In the 25 winters prior, it occurred only three times. Not surprising, considering how extreme weather events overall have increased in recent years. Both in their number and intensity.
Statistics don’t lie. Power outages are inevitable. And dangerous. And can even be deadly. Protect yourself this winter… and beyond.
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