First responders of the Bluebonnet region
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Severe winter events have taught us to be prepared for anything
The most predictable thing about winter in Texas: It’s unpredictable. Although average temperatures in the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative region rarely drop below freezing, severe winter events have taught us to be prepared for anything. Take these steps to stay safe and prepare your family and home for an unexpected winter-weather emergency.
1. Create a communication plan
• Your family may not be together
when severe weather hits, so create a plan that includes everyone’s role during an emergency.
• Discuss how you will stay in touch with one another.
• Do not rely on cellphones alone,
as service could be lost.
• Create “know your number” contact cards for everyone’s wallet or bag and consider having an out-of-area emergency contact who won’t be affected by the weather.
• Make a plan to regroup at a designated place.
• Decide who is responsible for household pets’ safety.
2. Download apps and save website URLs
• Federal Emergency Management Agency, fema.gov, and American Red Cross, redcross.org, provide emergency notifications and information
about shelters, first aid and recovery assistance.
• The National Weather Service at
weather.gov (type in your area), local
weather apps, the Weather Channel at weather.com, AccuWeather at accuweather.com and WeatherBug at weatherbug.com provide local and regional forecasts and alerts.
• The Texas Department of Emergency Management at tdem.texas.gov has
safety and weather information.
• Drive Texas, drivetexas.org, has
road-closure information.
3. Stock up on supplies
• Store at least a three-day supply
of non-perishable or canned food items and water, one gallon per person
for each day.
• Make a winter-weather emergency kit that includes blankets, extra warm clothes, sleeping bags, a first-aid kit, portable lights, a cell phone charger and walkie-talkies with extra batteries.
• Keep your gas tank full, and stock your vehicle with items such as a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a towrope and an ice scraper.
4. Prepare your home
• Check heating systems; insulate and seal doors, windows, cracks or holes; repair any roof damage; and clear gutters.
• Secure lightweight outdoor items that could blow away.
• Cut tree branches near or hanging over your roof.
• Ahead of severe weather, insulate exposed pipes, drain outdoor water systems and keep water moving in indoor pipes by dripping all faucets.
• Store a fire extinguisher in a place you can easily reach.
For more tips to stay safe this winter and save money on your electric bill, go here.
Local shelters
The Texas Division of Emergency Management updates a list of available shelters across the state of Texas every hour. If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay during extreme cold weather, visit tdem.texas.gov/warm to find an available shelter near you.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $17,710 grant to the Blue Volunteer Fire Department for a new emergency generator and fuel tank. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet's Giddings-area community representative; Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet Board member; Ward Taylor, VFD assistant fire chief; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur, LCRA board members; Rick Isaacks, VFD fire chief; and Dan Brunner, VFD captain.
The Blue Volunteer Fire Department will soon purchase a new emergency generator and propane fuel tank that will help the department continue to provide essential services even during severe weather or blackouts, thanks to a $17,710 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,428 in matching funds from the VFD, will enable the department to provide a safe shelter for people in the community during emergencies, as well as keep its trucks ready to go during extreme weather. The department, which covers 103 square miles, faced unexpected challenges that highlighted the need for a new generator during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“I’ve been with the department for 14 years and had never seen anything like it,” assistant chief Ward Taylor said. “We had tanks freeze and break, and we were completely caught by surprise. This grant will enable us to keep our trucks warm and ready at a moment’s notice.”
The new equipment also will allow the department to open its doors to provide shelter during emergency situations such as power outages or flooding.
“We are almost a completely self-funded department, so grants like this from LCRA and Bluebonnet are huge for us,” Taylor said. “We’ll now be able to provide a safe and warm spot for people to come to should there be a need. Anyone that requires electricity for life support, whether they need oxygen or are on dialysis, they’ll be able to rely on us.”
The community grant is one of four grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January 2025. More information is available here
