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Brownsville Public Utilities Board > Featured > BPUB Prepares for Extreme Cold Weather Event

BPUB Prepares for Extreme Cold Weather Event

Release Date: January 23, 2026

BROWNSVILLE, TX – As a strong cold weather system is forecast to impact the Rio Grande Valley later this week, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) is preparing for the potential effects the weather could have on the city’s infrastructure.

Some of the preparations that BPUB crews are conducting include:

  • Ensuring all vehicles and equipment are fueled and/or charged
  • Assigning additional standby personnel
  • Deploying tree trimmers to areas with a history of issues
  • Checking insulation on lines at water plants
  • Reviewing emergency procedures
BPUB crews conduct preparations ahead of cold weather event.

BPUB crews conduct preparations ahead of cold weather event.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued an advisory for extreme cold weather conditions in parts of Texas from Saturday through Tuesday. In the Brownsville area, freezing temperatures are currently expected for a brief period Monday morning, with the coldest conditions around 8 a.m. No frozen precipitation is forecast at this time.

BPUB will continue to monitor conditions closely and will keep customers informed of any changes or requests from ERCOT.

BPUB customers are also encouraged to prepare for the cold weather. Here are some tips:

  • Protect faucets, outdoor pipes and exposed pipes in unheated areas by wrapping them with rags, newspaper, trash bags or plastic foam.
  • Open the cabinets under sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated indoor air to circulate around the water pipes.
  • Let indoor faucets drip (a stream of water isn’t necessary) when freezing temperatures are expected.
  • Make sure you have a manual can opener, batteries and flashlight in case of an outage.
  • Never operate a generator inside a home or enclosed space, such as a garage.
  • Don’t forget to make arrangements for any pets or family members who need assistance.

BPUB will keep customers up to date on any service interruptions or recommendations during the cold weather event. If customers have any questions, they can call 956-983-6121. To report an outage, customers should call 956-983-6300 or go to https://assist.brownsville-pub.com.

For additional information on preparing for winter weather, visit https://www.brownsville-pub.com/online-tools/winter-weather-preparation-tips/ and follow BPUB on social media @BPUBOfficial for updates.