Texans should prepare for “life-threatening” wind chills, but officials remain confident in power grid

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a 2021 press conference regarding the state’s emergency response to a winter storm. The state is bracing for subfreezing temperatures this week, but officials do not expect mass power outages. (Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune)

State officials warned residents Wednesday to prepare their homes and vehicles for the coming freeze while trying to reassure on-edge Texans that the electric grid will stay online.

Temperatures are expected to plummet Thursday into single digits — with even lower wind chills. Leaders urged residents to check their car tires and batteries to be sure no one gets stranded on the road, to burn wood or gas inside only if there’s proper ventilation, and to insulate pipes.