Continuous blackouts begin in Texas during the massive winter storm

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The Texas power grid operator is deploying power outages in most parts of the state Monday after a massive winter storm caused unprecedented electricity demand and forced several offline power generating units.

The blackouts began at 1:25 a.m., Central Time. The Texas Electric Reliability Council said they would likely last “all morning and could start until this weather emergency is over.”

“All grid operators and all power companies are struggling to restore energy right now,” Bill Magness, president and CEO of ERCOT, said in a press release.

Shutdowns are designed to reduce electricity demand until capacity can be regained. ERCOT officials hinted Sunday that they might be needed, saying they would likely last between 10 and 45 minutes at a time.

The storm that hit Texas is rare for both its scope and intensity. On Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for all 254 counties. On Monday morning, cities like Dallas and Austin had single-digit temperatures. Near the coast in places like Houston and Corpus Christi, the weather was teenage.

ERCOT announced Sunday night that it had set a winter record for energy demand, reaching 69,150 megawatts between 6 and 7 p.m. The network operator also said it would provide an update at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

The storm has closed much of the state. There are numerous icy roads, many schools have closed, and at the request of Gov. Greg Abbott, President Joe Biden declared a statewide federal declaration of emergency.