A large limb in the street in downtown Tyler. (Santana Wood/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

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. 

Thousands remain without power in Smith County in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm Tuesday morning. While power was initially restored to thousands of homes, outages increased throughout the afternoon due to heavy winds.

Damage

Smith County residents who suffered property damage due to Tuesday morning’s storms are being asked to report them the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the county said in a statement. 

Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported that a couple of mobile homes in The Grove at Brook Hollow, located off Rhones Quarter Road, had trees that fell through them.

The Smith County Road and Bridge Department reported a partial washout of County Road 165, also known as Henry Moore Road, southwest of Tyler.

Road crews also responded to trees down on County Roads 134, 135, 168, 2115 and 2116.

To report downed trees or wash outs of county roads, call Smith County dispatch at 903-566-6600.

To report property damages caused by the storm, visit: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/

Roadways

Motorists should use caution driving in Tyler and Smith County after a severe thunderstorm passed through the area.

The Tyler Police Department reported that a live power line was down in the 1400 block of Rice Road. Officers blocked off that section of the street. Oncor has been notified. Tyler PD says drivers must avoid this area, as no one will be allowed through until it’s cleared.

There are reports of downed trees throughout the county, according to Smith County Emergency Services District 2. ESD 2 firefighters were working earlier Tuesday morning to clear County Road 168 for families attempting to get to Owens Elementary.

“We have reports of several other trees down and blocking the roadway. Please be cautious as you turn around,” ESD 2 said in a Facebook post. “Reminder: Do not drive over power lines!”

In Arp, a pine tree is down on County Road 246 just north of the high school and junior high, completely blocking the road, according to Arp ISD. This area should be avoided.

Major crashes were reported on Highway 155 and Highway 64 East.

Schools

Bullard ISD had early dismissal at noon for all campuses. Power remained out at half of the district’s campuses as of 11 a.m. Buses were to start running at noon.

The power has returned at Arp ISD campus buildings. The school day is continued on regular schedule. 

Weather alerts

A severe thunderstorm warning has expired for Smith County and a tornado expired at 11 a.m. according to the National Weather Service of Shreveport. 

Power outages

As of 5:30 p.m., the following Oncor outages are active in East Texas:

Smith County: 8,803

Anderson: 1,742

Van Zandt: 1,562

Cherokee: 1,178

Henderson: 1,547

Rusk: 102

A restoration time is not yet known.

“While we may not yet have a specific time for your power to return, resources are working as quickly and safely as possible around the clock,” Oncor said.

To report an outage, text OUT to 66267, call 888-313-4747, use the MyOncor app, or select “Report an Outage” located above the map. View the latest outages here.

“As soon as weather conditions safely allow, Oncor teams are assessing damages, making repairs and restoring outages in impacted areas following Tuesday’s storm system,” Oncor said in a statement. “… Heavy lightning and straight-line winds of 75-80 mph have caused significant damage in some regions, especially in communities in North Texas.

“As storms end, strong non-thunderstorm winds will continue across our service area, with widespread wind gusts up to 50-60 mph through the evening, which could potentially lead to additional outage impacts. … The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority. Customers are encouraged to stay weather-aware and keep their safety top of mind. If you see a downed power line, keep yourself and others away from it, and call 911 right away.”

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.

How to report issues in Tyler

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.