A tree fallen against a fence behind the old Hubbard Middle School. Storm cleanup continued Thursday. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Although electricity had returned to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in East Texas, thousands more would remain in the dark Thursday night.

Oncor said it expected to fully restore power to all homes by Sunday. At 5 p.m. Thursday, just over 5,000 were still impacted by outages in Smith County, which remained the most heavily affected county in all of Oncor’s coverage area.

Recovery efforts were also progressing in other areas, such as roads, streets, parks and overall cleanup throughout the city of Tyler and Smith County. Power had been restored to all traffic signals in the city, improving traffic issues and lessening the chance for crashes.

Saw crews from the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System were still helping the city and county Thursday to clear trees from roadways. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported that out of the more than 300 trees down on 100 county roads from Monday night’s storm, nearly all Smith County roads were cleared enough to be drivable by Thursday afternoon.

County Roads 1303 and 2205 still had trees down with powerlines in them, so they remain closed as of Thursday afternoon until Oncor can safely remove the power lines. Some county roads had wash-outs or undermined culverts from the storms and those remain barricaded and closed. They include County Roads 381, 429, 452, 2110, and 3203. Do not drive around barricaded roads. The county has an interactive map that lists all Smith County road closures. You can find up-to-date road closures by visiting www.smith-county.com and clicking on “County Road and Office Closures” under Citizen Resources.

While city and county officials continue to clean up debris, residents should remain cautious and aware of downed trees and power lines.

The City Streets Department said 26 streets were closed and 206 work orders remained for downed trees and limbs as of Thursday afternoon.

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. Report downed power lines by contacting 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.

All essential city services, including water and wastewater services, will continue to operate at full capacity.

Residential and recycling collection resumed on Thursday. The city asks that customers remain patient during trash pick-up. Crews may be unable to collect some customers’ trash because the roads are inaccessible due to downed trees, power lines, and debris.

For a $15 access fee, Solid Waste customers with a current water bill can take large limbs and brush to the Greenwood Farms Landfill at 12920 Farm to Market Road 2767. The landfill is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to noon.

Starting next week, residents will be able to schedule special pick-ups with Solid Waste by submitting a work order online through the website cityoftyler.org. Bundle the limbs that are less than 4 feet and 50 pounds together, and they will be picked up free of charge. Anything larger will have to pay a fee depending on size and weight, starting at $20.

Clean-up has begun for parks. The city urges everyone to avoid all parks and trails until all damage has been cleared.

Boat ramps at Lake Tyler are closed, but the roads around the lake are now open.

Available resources

Aid centers

Two PODs (Point of Distribution) centers will be open again Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Smith County residents who are suffering from power outages and/or property damage can go to Chapel Hill High School, located at 13172 Texas Highway 64 East, Tyler. The Chapel Hill site is distributing MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat), ice, water and tarps.

At the First Baptist Church, located at 103 E. Van Street in Lindale, they are also distributing ice, water, tarps and MREs.

The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Military Department are running the drive-thru sites. Both sites were continuing to see a steady stream of cars throughout Wednesday and Thursday.

The Smith County Emergency Management Operations Center plans to close both PODS on Friday at 3 p.m.

Shelter

Bullard Intermediate School, located at 218 School House Road, is still open for those who need a place to go for shelter, including overnight.

Red Cross is running the facility and Smith County CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) is assisting, in coordination with Bullard Independent School District.

For anyone in the community seeking shelter or needing assistance please call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4 for assistance.

Cooling and charging centers in Tyler

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 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tyler Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Glass Recreation Center is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other assistance

• Grace Community Church: (903) 593-3800
• Tyler’s Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints: (903) 871-5117
• Church of the Pines: (903) 224-8595
• Green Acres Baptist Church: (903) 646-7610
• American Red Cross: (800) 733-2767

Boil water notice

A boil water notice remained in effect Thursday for Southern Utilities Company customers in Smith and Cherokee counties.

About 60,000 people are affected, Smith County reported. It is important to note this is just for Southern Utilities customers, not Tyler Water Utilities or City of Whitehouse or any other local entity. If you are not sure who your provider is, please check your utility bill.

“Due the recent thunderstorms and power outages in the area, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the Southern Utilities Company public water system… to notify all customers … of the Southern Utilities public water system to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions),” the press release stated.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Amended disaster declaration

A Smith County disaster declaration issued in late May was amended Thursday morning, the county announced.

Judge Neal Franklin issued a disaster declaration on May 24, then commissioners extended it on May 28 to remain in effect until all storm-related damages can be thoroughly assessed. The amendment included an indefinite extension until it is no longer needed. On Thursday, Franklin issued an amended disaster declaration to encompass damages from all severe weather during the last two weeks throughout all of Smith County.

Declaring a disaster allows officials and emergency management personnel to access additional resources to support operational needs, as well as allowing for additional resources to be made available to citizens.

Local cities and Smith County have all urged residents to report damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Affected residents can access the survey by visiting https://damage.tdem.texas.gov. Residential, commercial and/or agricultural property damage can be reported through TDEM.

According to to a statement from the Governor’s Office on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott’s request for individual assistance remains under FEMA’s review for several counties, including Smith and Van Zandt. Additional counties may be added to the governor’s request as additional damage assessments are validated in affected communities.

Resources

Point of Distribution resource centers

Smith County residents who are suffering from power outages and/or property damage can go to Chapel Hill High School, located at 13172 Texas Highway 64 East, Tyler, or First Baptist Church, located at 103 E. Van Street in Lindale.

The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Military Department are running the drive-thru sites and are distributing MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat), ice, water and tarps.

The centers will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shelter

Bullard Intermediate School, located at 218 School House Road, is open for those who need shelter, including overnight.

For anyone in the community seeking shelter or needing assistance, call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4 for assistance.

Tyler cooling, 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.

Report damages

Affected residents can access the Texas Division of Emergency Management damage survey by visiting https://damage.tdem.texas.gov.

Residential, commercial and/or agricultural property damage can be reported through TDEM. Local officials urge affected residents to please fill out the survey as soon as possible.

Other disaster assistance

Grace Community Church: (903) 593-3800

Tyler’s Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints: (903) 871-5117

Church of the Pines: (903) 224-8595

Green Acres Baptist Church: (903) 646-7610

American Red Cross: (800) 733-2767

Internet

Optimum locations offering WiFi hotspots and access include:

102 N College Ave., Tyler (WiFi trailer)

322 N Glenwood Blvd, Tyler

1820 S SW Loop 323, Tyler

4949 S Broadway Ave, Tyler

1847 Troup Hwy Suite 300, Green Acres Shopping Center, Tyler

120 E Centennial Blvd Ste 300, Lindale

Report or check status of outage

To report an outage to Oncor, text OUT to 66267, use the MyOncor app, or select “Report an Outage” located above the map at https://stormcenter.oncor.com, where you can also check your outage status. You can also call Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 to report power outages. If when you check your status online, it says your outage has been resolved, it is important to re-report the outage.