Storm Preparedness
Texas weather can go from calm to chaotic quickly, with severe weather sometimes causing power outages and other hazards within minutes. That's why we want our CoServ Members to know what to do before, during and after severe weather strikes.
CoServ stays prepared for any possible weather conditions that could cause interruptions for our Members and Customers. Unforeseen circumstances that could cause an outage include lightning strikes, ice on the lines or tree branches, trees coming in contact with power lines or vehicles hitting CoServ poles and other equipment. Our crews are trained to respond as quickly and safely as possible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Their goal is to provide safe and reliable service for our Members and Customers.
Here are some important things to remember:
- Never touch, play or get near power lines. Click here to learn more about Power Line Safety.
- Follow manufacturer guidelines when using portable generators. Never operate them in the garage or near a door or window.
- Never use a gas oven to heat your home.
- Never leave a space heater unattended and keep anything that's flammable at least three feet away from the space heater when it's on.
Before the Storm
- Have adequate supplies on hand before a storm arrives. The supply checklist below is designed to keep you and your family safe in the event that a severe storm hits your area.
- Unplug any appliances prior to major storms. Electronics are sensitive to electrical spikes from lightning or power surges. By unplugging them in advance, you can protect them from damage.
- Prepare a storm kit at home and one to keep in your car with extra flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and canned food. It’s better to be prepared rather than left scrambling to gather supplies once your power is out!
During the Storm
- Stay tuned to local weather through the radio and/or television broadcasts and take shelter when ordered.
- Unplug appliances prior to major storms because electronics are sensitive to electrical spikes from lightning or power surges.
- Have the aforementioned supply checklist handy, especially if you have a power outage or other storm damage or hazards present.
After the Storm
- Look out for storm damage
- If you see downed or damaged power lines, maintain your distance, call 911 immediately and then call CoServ's electric emergency line at 855-938-3496.
- If your power is out, try to leave your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible. Food will remain frozen for up to 48 hours so long as the door remains closed and the unit is in solid working condition.
- Backup power generators must be installed properly or they could become hazardous for the public, and especially, the linemen working to restore power in your area. Always follow all instructions for installing and using generators and, if they are connected to your home's electrical system, make sure the generator has a transfer switch.
- Gas generators also emit carbon dioxide exhaust, a silent threat that can lead to injury or even death. Be sure to keep the generator away from the house when it's running so it can vent properly. Never put it in the garage or near a window. Learn more about Carbon Monoxide and Generator Safety.
How to Report an Outage
- Log in into your SmartHub account
- Click on DISCONNECTS/RATES/OUTAGES
- Click on POWER OUTAGE
- Accept Terms
- Select outage description from the drop-down menu
- Total loss
- Partial loss
- Pole/Line Down
- All other
- Additional comments (not required)
- Submit form
- Call 844-330-0762 to report an electric outage.
- Call 844-330-0763 to report a gas outage.
- Enroll in text messages within your SmartHub account service notification settings.
- Text OUT to 855-938-3496 to report an outage.
- Text STATUS to get an update on the estimated restoration time.
Once enrolled, a message will be automatically sent when an outage is detected at your service address. You will receive a message when power has been restored.
Tip: Add CoServ to your contacts for quick reference!
Note: This is a text-only number.
Surge Protection
The most common causes for power fluctuations include:
- voltage surges such as lightning
- utility switching during adverse conditions, and
- when large appliances such as HVAC turn on and off inside the Member’s home or facility
A Member may incur damage at the time of a lightning strike but may not notice ill effects until days or weeks later. This happens because the lightning strike may weaken some circuitry while destroying others. The smaller surges most likely occur without the Member ever knowing, yet they take a toll on electronic equipment/ appliances and reduce the life span of the device. Eventually, the device fails short of its expected life span.
Members are responsible for protecting their appliances, electronics and other equipment from lightning and other surge conditions. It is not possible for CoServ to eliminate these risks simply because most surges are generated by nature and the affected appliances are on the Member's side of the meter.