A tool to track Texas power outages and aid in disaster response
The Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas has developed a tool to monitor power outages in near real-time, benefiting emergency responders and civilians.
Texas is known nationwide for its grueling hot summers. However, hurricanes and occasional winter weather can have a harsher impact on citizens and infrastructure due to the effects of power outages. Led by director and primary investigator Dr. Samuel Brody, researchers from the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT) have created a tool that can show residents, emergency responders and policy makers where power outages are occurring in near real-time, helping users respond to disasters faster, safer and smarter.
The live power outage map is part of the Texas Disaster Information System (TDIS) — a project in partnership with the General Land Office, Texas Water Development Board, and the Texas Division of Emergency Management — aiming to create data-driven systems to support disaster mitigation, response and recovery. The tool addresses a long-standing challenge in disaster response — knowing where power is currently out, and what services are affected by outages.
Extended and widespread power outages have a range of negative effects, including disruptions of essential businesses like hospitals, pharmacies and grocery stores. These closures may limit residents access to food and vital medications. Using the live power outage map, emergency responders can identify areas where these businesses have been affected and use this knowledge to determine optimal locations for relief centers.
“This tool serves as a decision-making support system, not just a map,” said Dr. Ali Mostafavi, a civil and environmental engineering professor at Texas A&M University, Director of the Disaster AI Initiative at IDRT, and co-primary investigator of TDIS. “The system provides statewide coverage that updates hourly, making it reliable during stressful disaster events.”
The tool works by collecting power outage information from utility companies and other outage-reporting services and placing them all into one easily accessible portal.
When Hurricane Beryl devastated Houston in the summer of 2024, millions of residents were left without power — some for weeks. During this extended outage, there were reports of citizens using the Whataburger App to see which locations were open. Using this information, users could infer if neighboring grocery stores and businesses had power. The new TDIS tool makes determining what stores have power, and therefore fresh food, much easier.
Over the past decade, Texas has been hit by frequent disasters ranging from flash floods to winter storms. When disasters occur more frequently, there is an increased strain on resources and state agencies. The TDIS tool’s ability to provide near real-time information is critical, allowing agencies to supply more relief while using fewer resources.
“Texas is often ground zero for disasters. We are working to make Texas ground zero for solutions,” said Mostafavi.
Currently, the TDIS tool only provides information for the state of Texas. However, the success of the program can serve as a model for other states — creating a nationwide emphasis on the importance of disaster preparedness and response.
IDRT strives to turn disaster resilience research into functional tools to be used during real life emergencies. The live power outage map has the power to provide users with clear, accessible information — without the guesswork of a restaurant app.
