Planned Power Outage to Affect Part of Bay Colony Monday — Here’s What Residents Should Know

LEAGUE CITY, Texas — Residents in a portion of the Bay Colony area should prepare for a planned power interruption Monday as Texas-New Mexico Power conducts scheduled work in the neighborhood.

The City of League City said it was notified by Texas-New Mexico Power, or TNMP, that electricity is scheduled to be interrupted from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday, October 12.

The outage is planned rather than the result of a storm or unexpected equipment failure.

Which Streets Are Expected to Be Affected?

According to the notice provided by the City, the scheduled interruption is expected to affect customers along several streets in the Bay Colony area.

The notice says the outage affects a portion of the neighborhood, so residents on or near these streets should not necessarily assume every home will lose electricity.

Customers who have received a direct notification from TNMP should rely on the utility’s information regarding their specific service address.

Why Would a Utility Schedule an Outage?

Utilities sometimes intentionally interrupt electrical service when crews need to perform work that cannot safely be completed while equipment remains energized.

Planned outages can involve maintenance, replacement or upgrades to electrical equipment.

The City’s notice does not identify the specific work TNMP plans to perform Monday, so residents should avoid assuming the purpose of the interruption unless TNMP provides additional information.

The significant difference between a planned outage and an unexpected outage is that residents have advance notice and can prepare before service is interrupted.

What Residents Should Do Before 8 A.M.

TNMP specifically recommends charging mobile devices in advance, keeping emergency lighting available and preparing alternatives for anyone who relies on electrically powered medical equipment.

A Six-Hour Window Makes Refrigerator Planning Important

Monday’s scheduled outage is significant because the announced window is six hours.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says an unopened refrigerator generally keeps food safely cold for approximately four hours.

A full freezer can maintain its temperature for approximately 48 hours when kept closed, while a half-full freezer generally remains cold for about 24 hours.

USDA guidance says refrigerated perishable foods that have been above safe temperatures too long may need to be discarded.

Residents should use a food or appliance thermometer when possible rather than relying solely on appearance or smell.

Residents With Medical Equipment Should Plan Ahead

The advance notice is especially important for households that depend on powered medical devices.

TNMP recommends that customers have a backup plan whenever someone in the home relies on electricity-dependent medical equipment.

Residents who cannot safely remain without electricity for the scheduled period should make appropriate arrangements before Monday morning rather than waiting for service to be interrupted.

If You Use a Generator, Keep It Outside

Portable generators can provide backup electricity, but improper operation can create a serious carbon-monoxide hazard.

TNMP advises residents to operate portable generators outside and well away from buildings.

Generators should never be used inside a home, garage or other enclosed area.

What If Power Is Still Out After 2 P.M.?

The announced outage window is scheduled to end at 2 p.m., but utility work can sometimes take more or less time than anticipated.

If electricity has not returned after the scheduled window, residents can check TNMP’s online outage map or contact the utility for updated information.

TNMP says outages generally appear on its online map within about 20 minutes of being reported, and restoration estimates may change as crews obtain additional information.

Customers can also call 888-866-7456 and select option 1 to report an outage or receive an updated restoration estimate.

View the TNMP Power Outage Map →

Do Not Call 911 to Report a Routine Power Outage

A loss of electrical service by itself is not a 911 emergency.

Residents should contact TNMP for routine outage information.

Emergency services should be contacted when there is an actual emergency involving fire, injury, a dangerous electrical condition or another immediate threat to life or property.

Advance Notice Gives Bay Colony Residents Time to Prepare

Planned utility interruptions are inconvenient, particularly for residents working from home or households with children, refrigerated medications or other electricity-dependent needs.

The advantage in this case is that residents know about the interruption before it happens.

With service scheduled to go off at 8 a.m. Monday, Bay Colony residents affected by the outage still have Sunday evening to charge devices, make arrangements and prepare anything they may need during the six-hour window.

The planned outage is scheduled for Monday, October 12, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Talk of League City will monitor the outage Monday and update this story if TNMP or the City announces a change to the schedule or restoration time.