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A major winter storm is expected to hit Texas, bringing freezing temperatures, sleet, rain, and snow, beginning Friday.

The areas most at risk for the wintry weather are north, northwest, and northeast Texas, while freezing rain and sleet are more likely in west, central, south-central, east and southeast Texas. Farther south in the Rio Grande Valley, cold rain is expected.

Gov. Greg Abbott said he has activated the state’s emergency response resources, warning that these weather forecasts could lead to hazardous travel conditions and potential damage to infrastructure. Power lines and water pipes are particularly vulnerable in winter weather.

This guide can help you prepare.

High winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures are the main hazards associated with winter storms, according to the National Weather Service.

These storms can cause an increased risk of car accidents, hypothermia and frostbite. They can also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generators or other gas-powered heaters.

Winter weather often puts a strain on Texas’ electric grid. When energy demand outpaces supply, regulators at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, take emergency measures, which can include temporarily shutting off power to customers to maintain grid stability.

ERCOT, the state’s power grid operator, is forecasting plenty of power, as of Wednesday morning, if power generation is not affected by the weather conditions.

You can sign up for emergency email alerts from the state’s power grid operator here.

Texans can still experience local power outages caused by ice or trees knocking out power lines, even if there are no issues with the statewide power grid, as has occurred with winter weather in recent years. Find local power provider contacts and check for local outages here. Read more about the difference between state and local power outages here.

How to prepare your home ahead of freezing weather

  • Insulate your pipes.
  • Place covers on water hoses outside.
  • Turn off and drain outside faucets before temperatures hit extremely low levels.
  • Locate your main water valve so you can cut off your water in case of an emergency, like a burst pipe.
  • Open up cabinets, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, to make sure heat is properly circulating to your pipes.
  • Fill up bathtubs with water as a backup supply for flushing toilets.
  • Cut down any weak branches or trees to prevent them from falling on power lines or your home and cars.

Additional winter-related emergency supplies to have ready

  • Blankets
  • Flash lights
  • Extra warm clothes
  • A shovel for digging out of snow
  • Booster cables in case you need to jump-start a vehicle
  • Something to create traction on your tires, such as sand or kitty litter

If you use a portable generator or alternate source of power during an outage, beware of the risks, such as the release of toxic fumes from generators fueled by gasoline, natural gas or kerosene. Read more safety tips for using a generator or an appliance during an outage here and more about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning here.

If your home or car is damaged in a winter storm by falling branches, power lines or hail, take photos of the damage to submit to your insurance.

Check city or county websites or online communications to learn more about local emergency resources, such as warming centers and water distribution sites, in case of outages.

Read more about how to sign up for natural disaster notification alerts, build a disaster kit and recover from a natural disaster in our guide to extreme weather.

You can also find more resources here:

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María Méndez works on efforts to better connect with Texans and writes explainers and guides. She strives to answer Texans' questions about politics and public policy and to help them find resources....