Hard freeze (low of 17 degrees) in the forecast for early next week…. How prepared is the power grid?

I live out of state but am visiting my elderly parents, as I was in the winter of 2021. We lost power, heat, and water for three days. It was scary and hard. They're older now and I'm concerned.

I've read some about whether the power grid can keep up this time, but I'd like some takes from residents of the city who've been watching the situation more closely. Obviously ERCOT is saying that they're prepared; can anyone here offer a summary take on whether this is true based on what they've seen over the last couple years?

Would also just like some commiseration. It's stressful to have to worry that we'll struggle to satisfy the basic physical needs of my parents. TIA.

EDIT: Yes, we have basic stores of things like water and food, and will drain the pipes and shut off the water like last time. That doesn't help much when we have no power and can't turn the water back on because the city lines are down. I am mostly concerned about power and therefore heat. Not looking for rude comments about how we should prepare ourselves (we have, insofar as we can); not everyone has the money or space to buy a generator.

submitted by /u/OscaraWilde
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