Texans continue to carry memories of the 2021 winter storm, and many are unsure whether the state is any better prepared now for another major weather event. A recent statewide survey gathered experiences and expectations from residents across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Explore what people think about the power grid, their personal readiness, and who they would trust most to respond when severe winter weather strikes again.
Key Takeaways
- 58% of Texans say they are not confident in the state’s power grid to withstand another extreme winter weather event.
- Only 38% of Texans believe the state could handle a major blackout better today than in 2021, while 63% say Texas is either not better prepared or they are unsure.
- 40% of Texans say they are not prepared for a multi-day power outage during extreme winter weather, and 66% have not developed a household emergency plan since the 2021 winter storm.
- Half of Texans (50%) say they could not last more than 2 days without outside help if the power went out tonight.
Texans’ Confidence in the Power Grid
Texans continue to question whether the grid can withstand another harsh winter. Many residents also remain uncertain about the progress made by state leaders and utilities since the 2021 outages.
- 58% of Texans say they are not confident in the state’s power grid to withstand another extreme winter weather event.
- Urban Texans are the least confident about grid reliability (61% not confident), compared to 57% of suburban residents and 51% of rural Texans.
- Top Regions Least Confident in Texas’ Power Grid:
- South Texas (San Antonio, Corpus Christi, the Valley) — 67%
- North Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth area) — 62%
- Central Texas (Austin, Waco) — 52%
- Gulf Coast (Houston, Galveston) — 52%
- East Texas (Tyler, Longview) — 52%
- West Texas (Midland, Lubbock) — 43%
- Urban Texans are the most skeptical of the state’s progress, with 48% saying Texas has not taken meaningful steps since 2021 to prevent another winter outage, compared to 38% of suburban Texans and 36% of rural Texans.
- 30% of Texans trust utility companies most to handle a power-grid crisis, 20% trust emergency services, and 16% trust the state government, while 19% say they don’t trust any.
- Only 38% of Texans believe the state would handle a major blackout better than in 2021, while 63% say Texas is either not better prepared or they are unsure.
Household Readiness Since the 2021 Winter Storm
Across the state, many households have not taken steps to better prepare for future winter outages. While some Texans have invested in supplies or equipment since 2021, overall readiness remains uneven.
- 40% of Texans say they are not prepared for a multi-day power outage during extreme winter weather, and 66% have not developed a household emergency plan since the 2021 winter storm.
- Changes Texans Have Made Since the 2021 Winter Storm:
- Stocked emergency supplies (food, water, batteries, etc.) – 51%
- Bought a space heater or indoor-safe propane heat – 28%
- Purchased backup battery or solar storage – 22%
- Improved insulation or weatherproofing – 21%
- Installed a generator – 17%
- 38% of Texans say the state government should be primarily responsible for ensuring people are prepared for major outages, compared to 25% who say individuals and families, and 18% who point to local government.
- Half of Texans (50%) say they could not last more than 2 days without outside help if the power went out tonight.
- Nearly half of West Texans (Midland, Lubbock) — 48% — say they could only last 1–2 days without outside help if the power went out tonight, the highest of any region.
- East Texans (Tyler, Longview) are the most outage-resilient, with 26% saying they could last a week or more, compared to just 13% in Central Texas (Austin, Waco) and North Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth).
Moving Forward With More Confidence
Even though many Texans still doubt the grid’s reliability and feel unprepared for a long outage, there are steps households can take to improve their readiness before winter weather hits.
Strengthen your home’s power outage preparedness by focusing on essentials like:
- Building a basic emergency kit: Include shelf-stable food, water, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and necessary medications.
- Checking on or buying backup heat sources: Use only indoor-safe heaters and keep fuel or power supplies accessible.
- Improving home weatherproofing: Seal drafts, insulate pipes, and prepare windows and doors for colder temperatures.
- Preparing communication backups: Charge portable power banks and store extra batteries for radios or phones.
- Creating a clear household plan: Decide where supplies are stored, how everyone will stay warm, and what to do if help is needed.
Taking a few simple steps ahead of time can make winter outages easier to manage and help your household stay safer during severe weather.
Methodology
We surveyed 509 Texans to explore public confidence in the state’s power grid, personal preparedness for extreme winter weather, and trust in government and utility responses during times of crisis. Data was collected in December 2025.
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