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Storms hit area for third-straight Monday, numerous power outages reported by DETEC

For the third straight Monday the area was pelted by thunderstorms activity. Among the biggest weather maker continues to be high winds. The National Weather Service says winds were clocked over 70 mph across our area toppling several trees. Rusk County had a reported tornado near the Rusk County Airport just before 7 p.m.

 

Electrical power outage has been one of the most widespread issues with the storms as Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative reported at 11:30 p.m. there were some 3,250 member customers without power, the largest area being in Shelby County where 1,500 were reported.

 

By 2:30 a.m. that was down to 1,000. Brittney Johnson, DETEC Communications Specialist tells us crews are continuing to work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

 

AEP SWEPCO was harder hit, as of 3 a.m. there were no Shelby County outages, but Rusk County reported 7,600, Panola County had over 4,800 customers without power, and DeSoto Parish with 2,100.

 

Massive flooding in Houston overnight, as from 6 to 11 inches of rain has made several roads, including primary interstates impassable.

 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in twenty-four counties, including Jasper and Newton Counties. This now brings the total number of counties on the list to thirty-seven. The governor says the declaration authorizes further mobilization of state resources to assist impacted communities in the wake of recent flooding and tornadoes, and he says additional counties may be added to the list in the future.

 

The main issue in Jasper and Newton Couties is flooding along the Neches and Sabine Rivers. Both waterways are out of the banks, and with more rain forecast this week, the water levels could rise even more.

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