What do I do if I can't find a generator for the Texas freeze?

Focus on passive heating: gather family in one room, seal drafts with towels, use sleeping bags and layer clothing. Your car can be a warming station - run it for 10-15 minutes in a ventilated garage or outside. Fill bathtubs with water now for flushing toilets. Use camping gear if you have it.

How do I prevent pipes from freezing during the 2026 Texas freeze?

Let faucets drip (both hot and cold). Open cabinet doors under sinks. If you lose power, shut off your main water valve and drain pipes. Know where your shutoff is NOW. Wrap exposed pipes with towels, blankets, or newspaper as insulation.

Is it safe to use my gas oven or grill to heat my house?

NO. Never use gas ovens, charcoal grills, propane heaters meant for outdoors, or generators inside your home. Carbon monoxide is odorless and kills within minutes. More people die from CO poisoning during winter storms than from the cold itself.

How long will the January 2026 Texas freeze last?

Current forecasts show the arctic blast affecting Texas and the South from January 24-27, 2026, with the coldest temperatures expected Saturday night through Monday morning. Power outages could extend impacts. Monitor local news and weather.gov for updates.

What food should I eat first during a power outage?

Eat refrigerated food first (safe for 4 hours if door stays closed), then frozen food (safe 24-48 hours if full, less if half-full). Keep freezer and fridge doors closed as much as possible. Put perishables outside if temps are below 40°F. Eat shelf-stable food last.

Texas Freeze January 2026: Last-Minute Survival Guide When Stores Are Empty

Carbon Monoxide Kills More People Than Cold During Freezes

During the 2021 Texas freeze, carbon monoxide poisoning killed dozens. NEVER use these indoors:

Gas ovens or stoves for heating
Charcoal or propane grills
Generators (must be 20+ feet from windows/doors)
Outdoor propane heaters
Car running in attached garage (even with door open)

CO symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion. If you feel these, get outside immediately and call 911.

Do These Things RIGHT NOW (Before Friday)

Next 24 Hours - Critical Actions

Fill your bathtubs with water - If pipes freeze or water pressure drops, you'll need this for flushing toilets
Fill every container with drinking water - Pots, pitchers, bottles, coolers. Tap water while you have it
Charge everything - Phones, tablets, laptops, battery banks, flashlights
Fill your car's gas tank - Your car is a backup warming station and phone charger
Get cash - ATMs and card readers don't work without power
Locate your water shutoff valve - You need to know this BEFORE pipes freeze
Move to one room - Choose an interior room, ideally with the fewest windows

Expected Temperatures (Central Texas)

Thu Jan 23 High 45°F / Low 28°F Last chance to prep

Fri Jan 24 High 32°F / Low 18°F Freeze begins - Stay home

Sat Jan 25 High 28°F / Low 12°F Peak danger - Pipe freeze risk highest

Sun Jan 26 High 35°F / Low 15°F Extended cold

Mon Jan 27 High 42°F / Low 25°F Gradual warmup begins

Temperatures vary by region. Check weather.gov for your specific area.

If You Couldn't Get a Generator

Generators are sold out across Texas. Here's how to stay warm without one:

The "One Room" Strategy

Pick the smallest interior room (fewer windows = less heat loss). Move everyone there—including pets. Close all doors to unused rooms. Hang blankets over windows. Stuff towels under doors.

Body heat from 4 people in a small room can raise temperature 10-15°F.

Passive Heating Methods (No Power Required)

Layer clothing - Multiple thin layers beat one thick layer. Don't forget hat and socks (you lose major heat through head and feet)
Sleeping bags - If you have camping gear, now's the time. Sleeping bags rated for 30°F will keep you warm in a 40°F house
Mylar emergency blankets - Reflect body heat back to you. Layer under regular blankets
Hot water bottles - Fill with hot water before you lose power. Put in sleeping bag or under blankets
Warm the person, not the room - It's easier to keep a body warm than heat empty air

Your Car as a Warming Station

Your car has a heater and can charge phones. Use it safely:

NEVER run in attached garage - Even with door open, CO can seep into house
Park outside, away from windows and doors
Run for 10-15 minutes to warm up, then turn off to conserve gas
Check that exhaust pipe isn't blocked by snow
Bring blankets to retain heat after you turn it off

Preventing Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes can burst and cause thousands in water damage. Here's how to protect them:

Pipe Protection Checklist

Let faucets drip - both hot AND cold lines (moving water resists freezing)
Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air reach pipes
Know where your main water shutoff valve is (usually near water heater or where main line enters house)
If you lose power: shut off main water and open all faucets to drain
Wrap exposed pipes with towels, blankets, or newspaper
Keep garage doors closed if there are water lines in garage
Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots

If Pipes Freeze (But Haven't Burst)

If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, the pipe is likely frozen:

Keep the faucet open - pressure needs somewhere to go as ice melts
Apply gentle heat with hair dryer, heating pad, or warm towels
NEVER use open flame (torch, lighter) - fire risk and can damage pipes
Work from faucet toward frozen area
Check other faucets - if one froze, others might too

Food & Water Safety

Power Outage Food Timeline

First 4 hours: Refrigerated food is safe. Keep door closed!
4-24 hours: Eat refrigerated food or move outside if temps below 40°F
24-48 hours: Full freezer stays frozen. Half-full freezer: 24 hours max
After 48 hours: Frozen food thawing - cook or discard meat
Days 3+: Rely on shelf-stable food (canned goods, crackers, peanut butter)

Use the Outdoors as a Freezer

If temps stay below 40°F, put coolers outside with refrigerated food. Below 32°F, you have a natural freezer. Put perishables in sealed containers (animals will investigate) in a shaded spot.

Don't put food directly in snow - snow insulates and can actually keep food warmer than air temperature.

Water If Supply Is Disrupted

Bathtub water - For flushing toilets only (not drinking unless boiled)
Water heater tank - 40-80 gallons of potable water. Turn off power/gas first, open drain valve at bottom
Melted snow - Must be boiled for 1 minute to be safe for drinking
Pool water - Safe for flushing toilets only

Do's and Don'ts

DO

Dress in layers, including indoors
Check on elderly neighbors
Let faucets drip
Keep phone charged and limit use
Eat regular meals (your body needs fuel to stay warm)
Stay hydrated (dehydration happens in cold too)
Keep a battery radio for updates
Know warming center locations

DON'T

Use gas oven/stove for heating
Run generator indoors or in garage
Use charcoal grill inside
Leave faucets completely off
Open fridge/freezer repeatedly
Drive unless absolutely necessary
Ignore signs of frostbite or hypothermia
Wait to call 911 if someone shows CO symptoms

Signs You Need Emergency Help

Call 911 Immediately If:

Hypothermia signs: Shivering stops, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness, loss of coordination
Frostbite signs: White or grayish-yellow skin, skin feels waxy, numbness
CO poisoning signs: Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion (get outside FIRST, then call)
Medical emergency: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injury
House fire: Get out, stay out, call from outside

Warming Centers & Resources

If your home becomes unsafe, local warming centers can help:

Texas 211: Dial 2-1-1 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 for local warming centers
Red Cross: Open Shelter Finder
City websites: Check your city's official website or social media for warming center locations

After the Freeze

When temperatures rise above freezing:

Check for burst pipes - Look for water damage, listen for running water when all faucets off
Inspect water heater - Look for leaks or damage
Check roof - Ice dams can cause leaks as they melt
Document damage - Photos for insurance claims
Restock supplies - Before the next event (yes, this will happen again)