Texas Storms Result in Massive Power Outages

TL/DR –

Texas was battered by severe thunderstorms, causing nearly 600,000 customers to lose power. The storms brought hurricane-force wind gusts of up to 77mph and golf ball-sized hail, as well as causing flooding of residential streets, downed trees and power lines, and significant damage to structures, including the Dallas Zoo and a historic church. The storms follow previous weekend storms that killed at least 24 people across five states, which has initiated a disaster declaration for Dallas County.

Nearly 600,000 Texans Are Without Power After Severe Storms

Close to 600,000 customers faced power outages in Texas as a result of severe thunderstorms in the north-east of the state. The storms featured hurricane-force winds reaching 77mph (123km/h) and hail the size of golf balls.

This extreme weather follows weekend storms that claimed at least 24 lives across five states, including Texas. Southern Texas is also experiencing extreme heat, still recovering from an earlier storm this month that disrupted power for hundreds of thousands.

Tornado Warnings and Flooding

Residents in north Texas woke up to the sound of tornado sirens on Tuesday. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued warnings in Dallas and surrounding areas due to the severity of the thunderstorms. Reports of flooded residential streets, fallen trees, and downed power lines emerged from across the city.

Dallas County was declared a disaster area as officials assess the damage. At its peak, over 1,070,000 customers were without electricity on Tuesday morning. Nearly one-third of the power cuts reported were in Dallas County. Flights from Dallas were delayed or canceled, adding to the impact of the storms.

Damage Assessment and Restoration Time

The Dallas Zoo announced on social media that it sustained significant damage and would be closed on Tuesday for damage assessment. Officials estimated that restoring power might take several days. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said, “This will unfortunately be a multi-day power outage situation.”

Residents were urged to check on their neighbors and be accommodating. Grant Cruise, a spokesperson for Oncor, Texas’ largest utility company, noted the complexity of the repairs, stating, “In many cases, we’re looking at complete reconstruction for parts of our area.”

Further Damage and Weather Warnings

Several homes in the Dallas area were destroyed by fires believed to be weather-related. A historic church in Royse City, north-east of Dallas, was also destroyed by a fire. Houston reported hurricane-force winds later in the day with wind gusts reaching 75mph at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Several counties in northern Texas will remain under a severe thunderstorm watch into Wednesday morning. The NWS warned of potential flash flooding in northern and central Texas, and in parts of southern Oklahoma. This follows a devastating weekend of storms in Texas that resulted in at least seven deaths and injured over 100.

Over 200 homes or structures were destroyed with a further 120 damaged. The area with the heaviest damage was Cooke County, where a tornado hit a mobile home park with winds up to 135mph. Other storm-related deaths were reported in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Alabama. A heatwave has also hit the region, with temperatures remaining high in central and southern Florida.

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