Unrelenting spring storms cause 35,000 customer power outages
Restoration efforts expected to continue through Memorial Day holiday
Thunderstorms that delivered more than 6,300 lightning strikes and high winds led to nearly 35,000 CPS Energy customer outages and about 80 electric lines down on Saturday. The storms continue to train over South Texas and other parts of the state, creating power outages across Texas.
CPS Energy advises customers to use extreme caution around fallen branches and trees because power lines could be entangled in them. Any downed line should be treated as if it is live and should not be touched. Customers should call 353-HELP (4357) immediately to report it.
Securing downed wires is the first priority following a storm. Crews worked throughout the night to take care of the lines and to restore power to approximately 26,000 of the affected customers. Approximately, 9,000 customers are without power as of 11:20 a.m. The restoration efforts, hampered by ongoing weather conditions, flooding, and saturated grounds, are expected to continue throughout Memorial Day and possibly beyond the holiday. Forecasts call for the potential of more storms today and tomorrow, with increasing chances of severe weather Monday.
“We know it’s frustrating and never convenient to be without power, but we ask for patience as our crews work in this ongoing, challenging weather. Getting to our poles, wires and transformers is extremely difficult when the grounds are saturated like they are now, and the continuing severe weather is not helping,” said Chief Delivery Office Jelynne LeBlanc-Burley. “Our customer service representatives are also working to answer as many customer calls as quickly as they possibly can. Again, we ask for your patience on information regarding storm restoration times. With the complications of weather and ground conditions, it’s difficult to pinpoint good restoration times.”
High winds uprooted a tree on the city’s near northide last night. The tree’s roots pulled up an underground gas line as the tree toppled over, causing a leak that led to the temporary evacuation of five homes.
Customers with outages can check updates on cpsenergy.com by viewing CPS Energy’s outage map. CPS Energy’s Facebook and Twitter channels will also share general restoration updates.
Any emergency incidents, such as downed lines, should be reported by calling 353-4357.
MEDIA NOTE: additional updates will occur throughout the day.
