Editor's Note: Damage reports and/or photos can be sent to news@tylerpaper.com. Please be sure to include the location of the report/photo and photographer, if applicable.
Wednesday
8:50 a.m.
Multiple traffic signals throughout Tyler are without power. The city says “due to the unstable power grid, some intersections are coming online and then going offline.”
Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling and treat a "dark" traffic signal like a four-way stop – each vehicle comes to a complete stop and takes its turn going through the intersection.
The city is asking residents to avoid all non-essential driving. If you must drive, slow down. If you see water over the roadways, turn around.
Smith County emergency personnel responded to 27 weather-related calls over night after the latest storms blew in in to the area during the early morning hours of Wednesday.
About 29,076 people are without power Wednesday morning in Smith County and several roads are closed due to high water, Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue reported from the Smith County Emergency Operations Center.
Flooded roads include County Roads 448, 336 at Wiggins Creek, 381, 471 at Prairie Creek and 498, as well as Farm-to-Market Road 1253 at CR 455.
To see Smith County’s interactive map of current road closures, visit www.smith-county.com and click on the “County Road and Office Closures” button.
A shelter remains open in Bullard for people who have suffered property damage and/or power outages. Bullard Intermediate School, located at 218 School House Road, is open for those who need a place to go.
For anyone in the community seeking shelter or needing assistance please refer them to call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4 for assistance.
Smith County Emergency Management has asked that anyone sustaining storm damage during the past two weeks, please submit those damages to Texas Division of Emergency Management: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/
If you reside on a Smith County road and have trees down due to the storms, Smith County Road and Bridge can assist you by hauling off only tree debris, (no structural lumber, roofing or metal). They cannot go onto private property so you must move the tree material that is cut into manageable sizes into the Smith County road right of way. Please be patient as it will take a considerable amount of time to pick up all the material throughout the county.
Tuesday, June 4
Shelters
The Smith County Emergency Operations Center is opening a shelter at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Bullard for people who have suffered storm damages and/or power outages to their properties.
Bullard Intermediate School, located at 218 School House Road, is open for those who need a place to go.
Red Cross will run the facility and Smith County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) will assist, in coordination with Bullard ISD.
For anyone in the community seeking shelter or needing assistance, call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4 for assistance.
The U.S. National Weather Service – Shreveport is calling for more severe weather tonight. Over 37,000 remain without power in the county and the number could rise Tuesday night.
Tyler cooling and charging centers
Tyler Public Library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Tyler Senior Center is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Glass Recreation Center starting Wednesday, June 5, is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Outage update
Oncor says its teams are continuing to assess damages, make repairs, and restore power to communities impacted by Monday’s severe storm, “which produced damaging winds and a possible tornado.“
Hardest hit areas include Tyler, Canton, Jacksonville and Lindale, where electric poles and towers were damaged by winds and toppled trees and branches have significantly impacted electric equipment.
The company sent out an update around 3 p.m. Tuesday, reminding customers its personnel are working "around the clock to assess damage and restore power in East Texas."
"The debris from (Monday's) storm has created impacts and hampered access for Oncor personnel. More storms and weather impacts are forecast for (Tuesday) evening in the same area," Oncor said in an update sent to affected customers. "We do anticipate this will be a multi-day restoration."
Over 31,000 Oncor customers in Smith County remain without power as of Tuesday at 6:10 p.m. and Oncor does not have an estimated a time for restoration.
The following outages are active in East Texas as of 6:10 p.m.:
Smith: 34,095
Henderson:566
Cherokee:1,727
Van Zandt:598
Anderson:25
Rusk: 4,104
Multimedia
PHOTOS: Storm damage in Tyler area
- Photos by Jennifer Scott and Contributed
View the latest Oncor outage map hereandcheck the status of your outage here.
Oncor asks residents to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbors. It also says to always assume fallen or low hanging power lines are energized. Stay away and call 911. If there is damage to your meter base or weather head, you may need assistance from an electrician before Oncor can restore your power.
For served by Cherokee County Electric Co-Op Association, as of 5 p.m. power was still out for over 1,400 homes in Smith County and over 130 were affected by outages in Cherokee County. To report an outage,click here.
Smith County updates
Smith County first responders responded to about 300 calls for service over night after the latest severe weather hit Smith County late Monday.
Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported 71,000 residents and businesses were without power in the county.
Emergency calls included nine homes with trapped residents, one water rescue, multiple people trapped in vehicles due to power lines and/or downed trees, as well as multiple traffic lights out, he said.
As of 12:45 p.m., the Smith County Road and Bridge Department is reporting that more than 300 trees are down on at least 100 county roads after last night’s storms.
CR 129 is washed out and barricaded. CR 354 and 411 have high water over the roads and are barricaded.
Road and Bridge crews are working around the clock to try and clear them from the roads. If trees that are down have power lines in them, they must wait for the electrical company to come and safely remove the power lines before the trees can be cleared.
As more storms are expected to hit the area Tuesday, Smith County Officials are urging residents to be vigilant when driving county roads and stay off the roads if possible. Do not drive over roads with high water, as you do not know if the roads could be washed out underneath. Do not drive around barricades; those roads are closed because they are not safe to drive.
To report a road down on a Smith County Road, please call non-emergency dispatch at 903-566-6600.
The Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace and Constables Offices in Lindale are closed because of apower outage. Although the offices are closed, the constables are still out working, Constable Wesley Hicks said.
The Heritage Building, which is serving as a polling location for the City of Tyler District 2 Council Runoff Election, is without power but the elections equipment is running off backup batteries. Lights are being brought in and Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said she is trying to get a generator. People can still cast ballots there, but the process will be a bit slower. The Hub, at 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler, and Lanes Chapel Methodist Church, at 8720 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler, are also open for voting today.
Monday’s storms were the latest severe weather to hit the area and cause heavy damages over the past two weeks.
National Weather Service updates
The National Weather Service said a slight risk of severe thunderstorms is highlighted across much of the region again Tuesday and Tuesday night. Damaging winds will be the primary threat, but NWS also said grounds are so saturated from recent rainfalls that it won't take true "severe" winds to knock trees or powerlines down.
"We've gotten damage reports today associated with 30 mph winds," NWS said.
City of Tyler updates
The City of Tyler Streets and Stormwater crews are responding to down trees across the City. Crews will also intervene during a severe weather event where roads have washed out, and other public facilities may be compromised.
If you have an emergency, call 911, stay on the line and DO NOT HANG UP until your call is answered. Answer all questions and follow instructions.
The Tyler Police Department's non-emergency line (903) 531-1000 should be used for all other calls and notifications, including traffic signal issues and down power lines.
All dark or blinking intersections should be treated as a four-way stop.
Tyler Solid Waste will not collect in residential areas due to down trees, power lines and debris.
Tyler Transit fixed route services will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
City roadways
The City Streets Department is continuing to assess damage and clear roadways. As of noon, 206 large trees and limbs blocking roadways have been reported.
There were 165 blocked city roadways as of 10 a.m.
Volunteer organizations active during disasters are encouraged to assist in clearing trees and debris on private property. If power lines are involved do not attempt to move the lines or trees. Contact the Tyler Police Department non-emergency number at (903) 531-1000.
Residents can report flooded streets, potholes, sinkholes, downed trees, stormwater issues, and drainage issues using the free "MyTyler" phone App or by calling the Streets Department at (903) 531-1393 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and the Tyler Police Department non-emergency number at (903) 531-1000 during non-business hours.
Report downed power lines to the Tyler Police Department at the non-emergency number (903) 531-1000.
How do I get alerts about storm updates or emergency information?
The City of Tyler has a free emergency alert system that you may sign up for through Smart 911 with RAVE Alert.
Signing up for alerts is easy! Simply follow theRAVE alert linkand create your Smart911 with RAVE Alert account. You will then be able to select which alerts from the City of Tyler, Smith County and surrounding areas you would like to receive.
Account users may sign up to receive email and text message alerts. In addition, users may opt to provide additional information like medical conditions, pet information, house description and more. This gives first responders access to critical information on how best to respond to your family’s needs in an emergency situation. All information is secure and will not be shared publicly.
There is also an app available for download for bothAppleandAndroidusers.
What do I do if water is over the roadway?
Turn around. Don't drown. According to the National Weather Service, it isneversafe to drive or walk into floodwaters.People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable.Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars, and just two feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
This is why you should turn your vehicle around and find an alternative route. Then, report the flooded street to the proper authorities.
Who to call for flooded streets, potholes, sinkholes, downed trees, stormwater/drainage issues
For those within City limits in Tyler:Contact the Streets Department at (903) 531-1393from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to report flooded streets, potholes, sinkholes, downed trees, stormwater issues and drainage issues.
Contact the Tyler Police Department's non-emergency line at (903) 531-1000 during off-duty hours.
Reporting power outages and downed power lines:
To report a power outage, text OUT to 66267, use the MyOncor app, call 888-313-4747, or visit stormcenter.oncor.com and select “Report an Outage” located above the map.
Never approach, touch, or attempt to move a downed power line or any object in contact with a power line. Contact with power lines can cause serious injury or even death.
If you see a downed power line:
- Leave the area immediately and call TPD's non-emergency line at (903) 531-1000. The operator will contact Oncor directly and manage the situation until Oncor personnel arrive.
- You can also report downed power lines at1-888-313-4747.
Personal property
Please be advised that damage to personal property during a flood event is usually the responsibility of the property owner.
It is important, if you live in a flood-prone area, to take immediate steps to protect your property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) providesinformation on how to prepare for and reduce flood damage. Your homeowner's insurance provider can also walk you through your coverage and claims process.
City of Whitehouse update
Tuesday morning, emergency personnel and city crews are continuing to conduct rapid damage assessments through our hardest hit neighborhoods.
The city encourages residents to use local, reputable companies for any repairs or tree removal.
Brush and limbs: The city has been in close contact with Republic Services who will be picking up additional brush and limbs along their normal routes. Any limbs must be four foot or less in length and no more than six inches in diameter. Residents of Whitehouse can utilize the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free once a month by showing a copy of their most recent City of Whitehouse water bill.
Oncor is working diligently to get power restored as quickly and safely as possible. If you see that properties around you have power restored and you do not, please contact your service provider to make sure they are aware that your service has not been restored.
Be sure to sign up for CodeRed alerts which allows you to receive notifications via phone call or text message about emergency situations or critical community alerts.Click here to get signed up.
Read more information in Whitehouse's storm newsletter.
Closures
Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East boat ramps temporarily closed
Due to heavy rain, the City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.
Ramps are being closed due to boating hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by the recent rains and to reduce damage from shoreline erosion caused by boat wakes. In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents.
The ramps will be closed until further notice. Tyler Water Utilities anticipates reopening the ramps once the lake levels recede.
Broadway Square Mall
The Broadway Square Mall is without power after the severe weather Monday night.
Caldwell Zoo
Caldwell Zoo is closed Tuesday as the team is hard at work clearing fallen trees. All animals are safe. The zoo will reopen as soon as the pathways are clear and safe.
Lindale businesses
The Lindale chamber said most businesses are closed today due to outages and out of caution for employees.
Monday, June 3
10 p.m.
Visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/tylerpaper where we are posting updates in an ongoing post thread.
Over 64,400 Smith County Oncor customers are without power.
If you can safely do so, email us damage reports and/or photos to news@tylerpaper.com. You can also comment on our Facebook weather thread.
