(ETH) – North Texas became a casualty of a 250-mile winter storm that left the city— and its power grids— frozen in its tracks on December 31, 1978.

“Near blizzard conditions” are currently threatening Dallas and its surrounding suburbs as the Metroplex prepares for terrorizing icy weather.

Warnings are also extending indoors as companies and first responders prepare for record-breaking electricity usage as temperatures plummet. As officials fear an overstressed power grid today, take a look back at the winter disaster the city faced in 1979 when 300,000 residents were left helpless against the cold.

The city was ill-prepared to handle the impact of a severe winter storm and residents paid the price. The power lines from Dallas Power and Lights Co. faced the most damage, leaving its whole customer base, almost 20% of the city, with no electricity. READ MORE