Skip to main content
Pay Online
Contact Us
Outage Reporting
Products
Home

MEMBER SERVICES: 1-800-840-2957 

OUTAGE REPORTING: CALL  1-800-840-2957; OR TEXT 'OUT' TO 1-855-644-1795

PAY BY CREDIT/DEBIT: 855-399-2688

Menu

Latest

  • Follow ERCOT in real-time and monitor grid activity.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Career Opportunities
    • Service Territory
    • Texas Cooperatives
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Non-Discrimination Statement
  • Member Services
    • Co-op Connections Savings
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
    • Texas Co-op Power
    • Safety
      • Electrical Safety Checklist
      • Safety Quiz
      • Storm Center
      • Outage Reporting
  • New Service
    • 911 County Coordinator's Phone List
    • New Construction Application
    • New Construction Check List
    • New Construction
      • Permanent Residence
      • Mobile Homes
      • Temporary or Seasonal Structures
      • Non-Residential Permanent Structure
      • Underground Single Phase 200 or 320 AMP
      • 200 Amp Meter Loop Spec Sheet
      • 320 Amp Meter Pedestal
  • Billing Options
    • Payment Assistance
    • Rates
    • Payment Locations
  • Forms
  • Programs
    • Distributed Generation
    • Capital Credits
    • Energy Tips
    • Operation Round Up
    • Rebates
    • Rural Friends ACRE
    • Teacher Mini-Grant
    • Youth Tour & Scholarships

Storm Center

Stay Safe During an Outage and Around Power Lines

Be Prepared for Storms!

Storm Checklist

To report an outage, call HOTEC at 1-800-840-2957.

If your lights go off during a storm, be prepared for the power outage. Assemble supplies to have on hand rather than rushing around when the storm is coming and waiting in long lines fo rmilk or bread. Rotate your supplies to keep them fresh and use the following checklist to prepare for power outages:

Have Plenty of Food

  • Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in plastic bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day.

  • Store a manual can opener with enough nonperishable foods for 3 to 5 days. Canned meats, tuna fish and peanut butter are good foods to store. Don’t forget pet foods!

  • Conserve water by using paper plates and plastic utensils.

  • Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.

Stay In Touch

  • Have a portable, battery-powered radio and alarm clock.

  • Have one non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted.

  • Plan where to meet and how to communicate with family members if separated.
    Keep essential family member contact information near your phone, in your wallet, and in your glove compartment.

Keep Things Going

  • Keep plenty of gas in your car.

  • Keep extra batteries, matches, propane, charcoal and firewood.

Stay Happy, Healthy and Warm

  • Coordinate with neighbors for care of the elderly and disabled living alone.

  • Maintain a supply of prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins and special dietary foods.

  • Playing cards, books, drawing and writing supplies, and board games help pass the time. If you have a video camera and tapes, your family can make a storm documentary.

  • Keep sanitary and personal hygiene supplies replenished. Premoistened cleansing towelettes are useful and help conserve water.

  • Use plastic trash bags and ties for garbage.

  • Put first-aid kits in your home and car.

  • Make sure you have cold weather clothing, foul weather gear, blankets and sleeping bags.

  • Consider purchasing alternative UL-approved heating devices. For example, a fireplace insert or woodstove will keep the heat in your home instead of up the chimney.

  • Use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting instead of candles.

  • Keep fire extinguishers fully charged.

  • Fill your bathtub with water for bathroom use before the storm (if you have a well).

Check to see current weather conditions.

Back to Top

Quick Links

  • Electric Cooperatives in Texas
  • NRECA
  • Texas Electric Cooperative
  • Texas Rural Electric Women's Association
  • State Energy Conservation Office
  • SECO - Schools

About Us

Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative Inc. was incorporated in 1937 to provide electricity to rural areas of Central Texas. The co-op has more than 17,000 members and over 23,000 meters served by nearly 4,000 miles of line. The service territory of the cooperative spans across the following counties: Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, McLennan and Milam.

Follow Us Online

Employee Login

  • Login

©2023 Heart of Texas Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Career Opportunities
    • Service Territory
    • Texas Cooperatives
    • About Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
    • Cooperative Principles
    • Non-Discrimination Statement
  • Member Services
    • Co-op Connections Savings
    • Touchstone Energy Savings
    • Texas Co-op Power
    • Safety
      • Electrical Safety Checklist
      • Safety Quiz
      • Storm Center
      • Outage Reporting
  • New Service
    • 911 County Coordinator's Phone List
    • New Construction Application
    • New Construction Check List
    • New Construction
      • Permanent Residence
      • Mobile Homes
      • Temporary or Seasonal Structures
      • Non-Residential Permanent Structure
      • Underground Single Phase 200 or 320 AMP
      • 200 Amp Meter Loop Spec Sheet
      • 320 Amp Meter Pedestal
  • Billing Options
    • Payment Assistance
    • Rates
    • Payment Locations
  • Forms
  • Programs
    • Distributed Generation
    • Capital Credits
    • Energy Tips
    • Operation Round Up
    • Rebates
    • Rural Friends ACRE
    • Teacher Mini-Grant
    • Youth Tour & Scholarships