Blackouts in Texas as massive winter storm hits the state

Texas is experiencing power outages as low temperatures tripped several power plants offline in a row.

Texas has been witnessing blackouts since Monday after a massive winter storm hit the state dipping the temperature to single-digit. The state is experiencing power outages as low temperatures led to shut down of several power plants in a row. The power grid operators and companies requested people to be patient during the emergency as they were trying to restore the service. However, they warned it may be till Wednesday before the grid becomes fully operative again.

Texas is in the grip of an unusual Arctic blast from the tip of the Panhandle all the way to the Rio Grande Valley, reported The Wall Street Journal. On Sunday night, when freezing temperatures led to dozens of power plants being tripped offline, the state's grid operator declared emergency at around 1 am on Monday. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) which manages the power grid in the state, ordered blackouts to prevent damage to the electricity system because there was too much demand for electricity than the available supply during the historic snowfall and cold conditions.

Reportedly, Texas operates its own power grid, making it the only one that isn’t under federal jurisdiction. Texas likes it that way and has sometimes taken dramatic steps to ensure its grid is overseen in Austin, not Washington, D.C.