It appears things are getting back to normal this morning after last night’s storm activity. Wind was the major issue, as numerous trees were reported blown down along with limbs littering yards and roadways, along with a large number of power outages.

 

The National Weather Service is saying we experienced what is called a Derecho, which is a line of intense, widespread and fast-moving windstorms and sometimes thunderstorms that moves across a great distance and is characterized by damaging winds.

 

The National Service did issue a Severe Thunderstorm Warning around 7:20 last night, which expired by 8:30. Winds were gusting to 40+ mph, with some 60 mph gust part of the Derecho or squall line of thunderstorms.

 

There are no impassable roadways being reported this morning. However, power companies are saying there are still some areas with outages.

 

 

Brittney Johnson of Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative reported before midnight that had several thousand members out, with the vast majority of the damage and outages in Shelby, Nacogdoches and Panola Counties. As always, crews are working to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible. Above all, DETEC encourages everyone to keep safety a priority. Should you encounter a downed line, consider it live and dangerous. Please report all downed lines and outages to DETEC.

 

 

AEP Swepco is saying they have no current outages in Shelby County, but are reporting around 1,700 customers out in DeSoto Parish, and 209 in Sabine Parish.

 

Our forecast today calls for a 30 percent chance of possible showers and thunderstorms this afternoon as it heats up. The head index this afternoon is expected to be around 104 degrees.