Outage Information

Bandera Electric’s goal is to provide members with reliable electric power, but even the best systems sometimes have bad days. To view current outages, view our online outage map. In an emergency situation, please tune into either Ranch Radio (FM 92.3) or Boerne Radio (FM 103.9 / AM 1500) for important service updates.
 

Report an Outage

If you need to report an outage, call us 24/7 at 866.226.3372 or login to your myBEC account. Using a desktop or mobile device, select "Contact Us" and then report your outage.

For efficiency, our outage system is automated. If you’re calling from a phone number we don’t have on file, our system will give you the option to leave a message. Due to high phone volume during outages, you may not be able to speak to a dispatcher, but your outage will be reported.


Reporting An Outage Using the myBEC App

1. Log in to your myBEC account using the mobile app
2. Tap on "Report an Issue" at the top
3. Tap on "Power Outage"
4. Review the contact information you'd like to provide with your report and tap on "Continue"
5. Select the address of your outage (if you have one account, that account will be selected by default).
a. Select the type of outage from a drop down list, or provide your own description.
b. Select whether you'd like to send dispatch your current location (this is useful if you're reporting a down line that is not related to your account).
6. Tap on "Send"
    

Critical Care Members

BEC has developed a critical care list comprised of members who require life-sustaining equipment. Your account will be coded to make our service technicians aware of your needs. You will be notified before scheduled outages. During unexpected outages, you will receive high priority as we restore power.

Please note, the critical care list does not prevent disconnection for nonpayment.

While it is BEC's primary goal to provide reliable, uninterrupted service to our members, we encourage all members on the critical care list to develop an emergency plan in the case of a sustained outage. Your plan should include the use of emergency backup power like a generator.


Load Shed Information

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. ERCOT is responsible for ensuring that the supply of electricity is sufficient to meet customer demand (load) for electricity in most of the state. When electric supply provided by all available power generation plants, wind farms and other sources becomes insufficient to meet customer demand, ERCOT begins emergency operations.

During a power emergency when electric supply cannot meet consumer demand for electricity and all other operational tools have been exhausted, the demand for electricity must be reduced to avoid uncontrolled blackouts.

As a last resort, ERCOT will instruct electric utilities to implement controlled customer outages to reduce the customer demand for electricity on the ERCOT grid. This is referred to as load shed and will last until the power emergency is resolved by ERCOT.
 

Troubleshooting

Here is a simple checklist that may help if the lights go out at your house.
Is the problem in your home? An adult needs to check the fuse or circuit breaker panel to see if the problem is confined inside the house. Be sure to check the main breaker. It is generally located outside, near the electric meter.

Will looking at the meter help? YES. If the fuses and circuit breakers appear to be okay, look at the meter. When there is power to the meter, it will flash numbers (alternating between the reading and 8's). If the digital read out is blank, call BEC as this indicates there is no power to the meter.

Is your neighbor out of power? If you believe the problem is on BEC’s lines, it is a good idea to check with a neighbor to see if they have power. Letting us know if your neighbor is also without power helps the Cooperative pinpoint the problem quicker.

Does BEC know when there is an outage? Sometimes. BEC has advanced system-monitoring capabilities in all its substations, but this system doesn’t identify every problem. First, check our online outage map to see if it displays a known outage in the area. If it does, call to report the outage. You may have information the Co-op needs in order to respond properly and quickly.
 

Power Outage Tips

There are a number of things you can do during a power outage to help protect your property from damage. Take a look at our power outage tips below to learn what you should do if the lights go out and the interruption is on BEC's system.
  • Unplug sensitive electronics, like televisions and computers, and appliances that have motors, like air conditioners. You should also turn off all electrical appliances that were on when the power went off, especially heat pumps, or electric heat. This may prevent appliances from being damaged by power variations that can occur when power is restored.
  • Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed during outages. Food will generally stay frozen for 36 to 48 hours in a fully-loaded freezer if you keep the door closed. A half-full freezer will generally keep food frozen for 24 hours.
  • As soon as power returns, check temperatures. If the food in the freezer has ice crystals and is not above 40 degrees F, you can refreeze. Perishable foods in the refrigerator should not be above 40 degrees F for more than two hours.
  • Keep curtains closed and limit trips outside to retain heat for a longer period.
  • Make sure to have flashlights, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries in an easily accessible area.
  • Keep a battery-operated radio tuned to a local station. If the power outage is extensive or if there are rotating outages, announcements should be made on the radio.
  • If you plan to hook up a gas power powered portable generator during an outage plug appliances directly in to it. Do not connect the generator directly to your house wiring.
  • Do not operate a generator in a confined space and be sure the exhaust fumes are blowing away from your home.
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Contact Us
24/7 Outage Line
866.226.3372