East Texas: The Most Impacted Region by Power Outages from Winter Storm Fern
East Texas power outages persist as the area stands out as the most impacted region following the peak of Winter Storm Fern. As of Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2026, the state has seen a significant drop in total outages. However, the eastern portion of the state faces a much harder road to recovery. Catastrophic ice accumulations have snapped trees and crushed infrastructure, leaving tens of thousands of residents in the dark. While metropolitan grids in Houston and Dallas are stabilizing, East Texas remains in the grip of the winter storm’s aftermath.
Catastrophic Ice Hits East Texas Hardest
Utility reports confirm that East Texas is the most impacted region by a wide margin. The area suffered from ice accumulations reaching up to 0.75 inches. This heavy glazing proved too much for the local vegetation.
The Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is battling widespread damage. Approximately 63,000 customers in their service area remain without electricity. This coverage area spans across East Texas and extends into North Louisiana.
Company officials identified a second wave of freezing rain as a major setback. Crews had made progress earlier in the weekend. However, the new precipitation weighed down trees that were already stressed. Consequently, limbs crashed onto power lines, undoing repairs and creating new hazards.
Entergy Texas faces similar challenges in the Beaumont and College Station areas. Significant outages continue to plague these communities. The utility has responded with force. They mobilized over 4,000 restoration workers to get the lights back on.
Unfortunately, the environment is fighting back. Hazardous road conditions are slowing the response times. Crews must navigate treacherous, icy roads to reach remote equipment sites. This logistical nightmare solidifies East Texas as the epicenter of the remaining crisis.
Statewide Outages Drop Below 100,000
While East Texas struggles, the rest of the state is seeing improvement. Total East Texas power outages constitute the majority of the state’s remaining issues. Statewide, the number of customers without power has dropped below 100,000.
San Antonio has seen a dramatic recovery. CPS Energy reports that outages decreased significantly from a peak of over 11,900. By Sunday afternoon, only about 2,700 to 2,800 customers remained offline.
These remaining outages in San Antonio are concentrated on the North Side. CPS Energy closed its customer service centers for Monday, January 26. This decision allows the utility to focus every available resource on field restoration.
Houston also escaped the worst of the devastation. CenterPoint Energy reports minimal impact compared to the northern and eastern regions. Roughly 1,400 customers lacked power as of midday Sunday. Officials expect to restore service to nearly everyone by the end of the day.
Challenges in Dallas-Fort Worth
North Texas sits between the extremes of Houston and East Texas. Oncor reports roughly 2,265 customers without power. These outages are scattered across Dallas, Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties.
Restoration estimates vary by location. Residents in Collin County should see power return by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. However, other areas face uncertainty.
Some neighborhoods in Dallas and Tarrant counties lack a firm restoration time. The complexity of ice-related repairs causes these delays. Crews must manually clear heavy vegetation before they can fix the lines. This process takes time and caution.
Despite these pockets of trouble, the DFW area avoided the catastrophic failure seen further east. The infrastructure held up better against the storm than in previous years.
ERCOT Maintains Grid Stability
A major concern for all Texans was the stability of the main electrical grid. Fortunately, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reports normal operations. The grid is holding steady despite the cold.
There are currently no threats of rolling blackouts. This news comes as a relief to residents who remember previous grid failures. However, ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch through January 27.
Meteorologists forecast record-breaking cold temperatures to follow the storm. Demand for heat will remain high. To ensure stability, the federal government has stepped in.
An emergency order from the U.S. Department of Energy remains active. This order allows ERCOT to use backup generation at large facilities if needed. This safety net helps maintain the balance between supply and demand.
Safety and Recovery in the Most Impacted Region
For residents in the most impacted region of East Texas, safety is paramount. Officials urge the public to avoid downed lines. The ice often hides these dangerous wires.
Using generators safely is also critical. Carbon monoxide poisoning spikes during these events. Residents must keep generators outside and away from windows.
Staying warm without power requires strategy. Families should gather in a single room. closing blinds and using towels to seal drafts can help retain heat.
The road to full recovery in East Texas will take days. The physical damage to the poles and wires is extensive. Utility crews are working around the clock to repair the grid.
Neighbors should check on the elderly and vulnerable. The combination of isolation and freezing temperatures is dangerous. Community support is vital while the power crews do their work.
wfbnews.com will continue to track the restoration efforts. We will provide specific updates for the East Texas power outages as utilities release new timelines.
