Key Takeaways
- Texas weather can shift rapidly to dangerous cold, leading to power outages and health risks during an arctic blast.
- Vulnerable groups include older adults, infants, and those relying on medical equipment, who face higher risks in freezing conditions.
- Signs of cold-related dangers include hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisoning; recognize the symptoms early.
- Prepare your home by insulating pipes, gathering emergency supplies, and ensuring proper ventilation for heating devices before an arctic blast.
- During extreme cold, stay indoors, layer clothing, and prioritize warmth for all household members.
Texas can go from nice-weather jackets to life-threatening cold in a hurry. An Arctic blast doesn’t just mean discomfort; it can trigger power outages, dangerous indoor heating situations, frozen pipes, icy roads, and serious cold-related illness. Here’s what to know and what to do to keep yourself safe when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Why freezing weather in Texas can be especially dangerous.
Cold snaps are risky anywhere, but in Texas, the danger can rise because:
- Many homes and plumbing systems aren’t built for long, hard freezes.
- People may not have winter gear or a safe backup heat ready.
- Ice (especially freezing rain) can make driving and walking hazardous.
- Power disruptions can turn a cold house into a medical emergency.
During an Arctic blast, there is an increased risk of hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, home fires, and heart strain from overexertion, like shoveling or moving heavy supplies.
Who is most at risk when the forecast includes an Arctic Blast
Some people are more likely to be harmed in cold weather because they lose heat faster, have trouble regulating body temperature, or depend on electricity and medical equipment:
- Older adults: reduced ability to regulate temperature; higher risk if heating is limited.
- Infants and young children: lose body heat faster and can’t communicate symptoms well.
- People with chronic illness or disability (including heart conditions, diabetes, respiratory disease): cold stress can worsen symptoms and reduce resilience.
- People experiencing homelessness or living in poorly heated housing: increased exposure time and fewer safe warming options.
- Anyone relying on powered medical devices (oxygen concentrators, refrigerated meds, mobility equipment that needs charging): outages can become urgent quickly. (CDC recommends extra planning for heat/power interruptions during winter storms.)
- Outdoor workers and motorists: exposure, wind chill, and getting stranded rapidly elevate risk.
Cold-weather danger signs to watch for
Hypothermia (body temperature dropping too low)
Hypothermia can happen even above 40°F if you’re wet and chilled. Watch for:
- Shivering (early warning sign)
- Confusion, memory loss, slurred speech
- Drowsiness/exhaustion, clumsiness (“fumbling hands”)
If you see these signs: get the person indoors, remove wet clothing, warm gradually with dry layers/blankets, and seek medical help if symptoms are serious.
Frostbite (skin/tissue freezing)
Watch for:
- Numbness
- Skin that looks pale/gray/waxy
- Tingling or pain early on, then loss of feeling
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (the silent emergency)
CO is colorless and odorless. It can build up when people use generators, grills, gas ovens, or unvented heaters incorrectly, especially during outages. Warning signs include:
- Headache, dizziness, nausea
- Confusion, weakness
- Symptoms that improve when you leave the house
Prevention basics:
- Never run generators indoors or in garages
- Use heating equipment exactly as directed
- Make sure CO alarms are installed and working
Fire risk from heating
Space heaters, fireplaces, and emergency heating systems increase fire risk when used improperly. Consumer safety officials stress extra caution and the use of working smoke alarms/CO alarms during cold snaps.
How Texans should prepare before a freeze
Step 1: Know what’s coming
- Check National Weather Service alerts (watch/warning/advisory)
- Sign up for local emergency alerts when available
Step 2: Make a “stay-warm, stay-safe” kit
Plan for short disruptions and limited travel:
- Water (Ready.gov commonly recommends 1 gallon per person per day) and non-perishable food
- Medications, infant supplies, pet food
- Flashlights, batteries, phone battery packs
- Blankets/sleeping bags, warm layers, hats, gloves
- First-aid kit
Step 3: Prepare your home and pipes
Frozen pipes can burst and cause flooding in a home. Texas insurance and emergency-preparedness resources recommend actions like:
- Insulate exposed pipes/outdoor faucets
- Disconnect garden hoses
- Know where your main water shutoff is
- Keep cabinets open under sinks on exterior walls to let warm air circulate
- Follow local guidance on whether/when to drip faucets
Step 4: Plan for safe heat if the power goes out
- If you use a fireplace/wood stove/space heater, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep clearance from anything that can burn
- Do not use a gas oven to heat your home
- If using fuel-burning equipment, ensure proper ventilation and working CO alarms
Step 5: Check on people who may need help
Before the cold arrives:
- Make a plan for relatives who depend on medical devices (backup power, alternate location, emergency contacts)
- Ask older neighbors if they have heat, supplies, and charged phones
What to do during the freeze
- Stay indoors and dry; layer clothing.
- Avoid overexertion; cold increases strain on the heart.
- If you must drive, keep a blanket, chargers, and emergency supplies in the vehicle.
- If your home loses heat, close off unused rooms, block drafts, wear a hat indoors, and gather everyone into the warmest safe room.
Pogo Energy note: Stay safe with energy during cold snaps
Cold weather can push equipment hard at home and across the grid. The safest plan is to prepare early: charge devices, keep backup lighting ready, and use only approved, properly ventilated heating methods. If you experience an outage, prioritize warmth and safety above all, especially for anyone who is medically vulnerable.