Natural Disaster
Texas Faces Multi-Day Outage as Storms Leave 1 Million Without Power
Jenkins issued the disaster declaration to help protect property and possibly get federal assistance for storm victims.
Dallas, TX – Texas is grappling with a severe weather crisis that has left more than 1 million customers without power, with officials warning that the outages could last for several days. The powerful storms that swept through the state on Tuesday morning brought hurricane-force winds, large hail, and torrential rains, causing widespread damage and significant disruptions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued numerous Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado Warnings across North Texas as the storms moved through the region. Dallas County was particularly hard hit, with nearly 400,000 outages reported. The situation prompted Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins to issue a disaster declaration, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
The storms, which included wind gusts up to 83 mph and baseball-sized hail, caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Power lines were downed, trees were snapped, and roofs were torn off buildings. In some areas, such as Collin County, first responders reported hail the size of softballs, further complicating recovery efforts.
The impact of the storms was felt across a wide swath of Texas. In Kaufman County, over 53% of customers were without power, affecting 42,000 people. Rockwall County saw nearly half of its customers lose electricity. The severe weather also led to numerous crashes on major highways, including Interstate 35 in the Lewisville area, where tractor-trailers were flipped over by the strong winds.
Meteorologists have warned that the situation could worsen, with more storms expected to hit the region later in the day and into Wednesday. The NWS has cautioned that the new round of storms could bring additional power outages and damage, particularly in north and central Texas. Flash flooding is also a significant concern, with heavy rainfall expected to exacerbate the already dire situation.
The power outages have had a cascading effect on daily life in Texas. Air travel has been severely disrupted, with ground stops at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. The outages have also affected businesses and homes, leaving many without essential services.
The recent storms come on the heels of a tumultuous month for Texas, which has already experienced extreme weather events, including deadly tornadoes, excessive rainfall, and scorching heat. Just days before the latest storms, a tornado near Valley View claimed at least seven lives and injured more than 100 people, making it the deadliest tornado to impact Texas since 2015.
The ongoing severe weather has prompted officials to issue Severe Thunderstorm Watches for several cities, including Dallas, Waco, Tyler, and Lufkin. The main threats from the storms are damaging wind gusts and large hail, with a continued risk of tornadoes. The NWS has placed cities like Houston, Waco, Abilene, Austin, and San Antonio in a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather, while Dallas, Fort Worth, and Corpus Christi are in a Level 2 risk.
The storms have also brought a heatwave to parts of Texas, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits. Heat advisories are in effect for western Texas, where temperatures could reach as high as 110 degrees. The combination of extreme heat and severe weather has created a challenging environment for residents and emergency responders alike.
As Texas braces for more storms, the focus remains on restoring power and ensuring the safety of residents. Oncor, the primary electricity provider in the region, has been working around the clock to repair downed power lines and restore service. However, officials have warned that it could take several days before power is fully restored to all affected areas.
The situation in Texas serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness in the face of severe weather. As the state continues to recover from the latest round of storms, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.