Thursday, January 22, 2026
With bitter cold and a potential winter storm in the forecast starting Friday and continuing through the weekend, we want to assure our members that we are prepared for this event and share some tips on how you can prepare.
Our crews are prepared and standing by in case of power outages. We have been in close contact with our power suppliers as well. They have taken precautions to ensure the power generation and transmission systems are prepared to meet the high demand for electricity.
Our power supply is a diverse mix of renewables, natural gas, fuel oil and coal. Power is delivered through a highly reliable transmission system that is continuously monitored. This transmission system not only delivers power to our members, but also provides hundreds of interconnections to other utilities to further ensure a reliable supply of power. Reliability of the transmission lines, substations, and communication systems is achieved through ongoing maintenance and improvement programs.
The system that is in place to provide power to our members is prepared for this and other challenges. We cannot guarantee that outages will not happen, but we are confident that all appropriate measures are in place to minimize the potential for outages and to address and restore service to our members.
We also want our members to be prepared for the predicted winter storm and extreme cold temperatures. Consider taking steps to be prepared, stay safe and control your energy usage during the cold weather ahead:
Lower the Thermostat
Adjust your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting (68 degrees or lower).
Use Appliances When Energy Demand is Lower
Extreme cold weather can put additional strain on the electric grid due to higher heating usage and more people staying indoors. Help reduce strain on the grid by running large appliances, such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers early in the morning or before you go to bed.
Eliminate Air Drafts and Leaks
Seal air leaks and drafts around windows and exterior doors.
Unplug When Possible
Turn off unnecessary lights and electronics when you aren’t using them.
Heat Pumps
Emergency heat settings on heat pumps are much less efficient than the regular setting. If you have to switch your heat pump to emergency or auxiliary heat during the extreme cold weather, make sure to switch it back to its regular setting once the cold has passed.
Space Heaters
While space heaters can provide some comfort as a supplemental heat source, they are very inefficient and costly to operate. Limit space heater use where possible, and always follow safety practices when using a space heater.
Track Your Usage
If you are concerned about how much electricity you are using during this cold weather, you can track your daily usage with MyOzarks.