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February 20, 2021 - Yesterday and overnight, crews have restored power to over 7,000 members across the service area. Above freezing temperatures, accessible roads and more crews have contributed to this progress. Again, restoration is expected to be a slow process due to outages being scattered across our 8 county system vs isolated to specific areas. This coupled with yesterday being the first day we could really make some ground, estimates of restoration for each area are just not available yet. If you have an alternate location with power that you can retreat to, our safest suggestion is to take family and friends up on their hospitality until we can get your power restored. If you are in a serious emergency situation, always call 911. Officials have established 211 if you need to seek necessary resources or a shelter.

Currently DETEC is reporting 15,099 members without power.

  • Nacogdoches Co: 5,107
  • Newton Co: 2
  • Panola Co: 194
  • Rusk Co: 1
  • Sabine Co: 1220
  • San Augustine Co: 1,387
  • Shelby Co: 7,188

Several members have expressed concern of not seeing trucks in their area yet. Please know that crews are working all areas. In order to restore power to your home, crews must first restore power to the transmission lines that feed our substations. After the transmission lines are repaired, we focus on any substation damage. DETEC owns and operates 35 substations. At this time, all transmission and substations are restored. Next we repair the distribution lines. These lines currently have much damage as trees and limbs have fallen from the weight of the ice. While we maintain a 20 foot right-of-way to the best of our ability, our 80-100 foot tall Pine Trees will hit the lines when they fall. It is simply the nature of our beautiful area. Currently we have hundreds of reports of trees and limbs on the distribution lines. The DETEC service area includes over 7,000 miles of distribution lines. After a distribution line is repaired, we can then work on the service line, transformer and fuse to your home. Currently we have thousands of reports of these service lines on the ground. This process to restore power to your home is happening and if you are not seeing a crew in your area, they are still working on the distribution line to get power to your home. We are not making excuses, but no amount of prep work to the lines by your local utility could have been done to prevent damage from this statewide historical weather event. Ice damage and the load issues from the state’s power grid are unrelated issues at this point.

In the office, we have been working diligently to resolve phone issues so that we make take your outage. Most members are able to report their outage, but many have reported issues with either receiving busy signals, dropped calls or a message detailing that we are unable to report your outage at this time due to high call volume. Busy signals are a result of all lines being utilized with calls, this is a issue we cannot resolve, please continue calling until you get through. Dropped calls is being investigated and we will continue to work with the telephone network provider to resolve this. Our automated system is designed to take your outage by automation if you correctly enter your telephone number and meter number to the location. We do know that this system was not working properly. As a result, much testing has been done and the system should be working as it should now. If you do not know your account information and you select “no,” the system will attempt to connect you with a live agent. Due to call volume, you may not be connected. Please locate your meter number before calling. This number is located on your bill or you may find it by looking at the meter at your location. The meter number is the six digit number located after DETEC on your meter. If you have had problems in the last few days getting through on the 1-800-392-5986 outage line, please try again. Today, we also have all local Member Service representatives to take your call. We do not have as many local representatives as we do within our contracted call center, so you may experience holds. Our local number is 936-229-4000. This line will be open until 5 PM today. After 5 PM, this line rolls over to 1-800-392-5986. Every day, around the clock, representatives are working to take your call.

February 20, 2021 - The Texas DSHS Covid-19 Dashboard reports 116 active cases on Friday, February 19, 2021.

Of the new cases reported over the past two days, 2 were new confirmed cases and 0 were new probable cases. The dashboard also shows a total of 10 additional recoveries which continues to help lower the number of active cases.

February 18th (2:50pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 860 (2 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 648 (0 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 51
Total Estimated Active Cases - 123
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,334 (3 new)

February 19th (3:25pm) Numbers:
Total Confirmed Cases - 860 (0 new cases)
Total Probable Cases - 648 (0 new cases)
Total Fatalities - 51
Total Estimated Active Cases - 116 (Correction)
Total Estimated Recovered - 1,341 (7 new)

February 19, 2021 - The 11th week of vaccine distribution starts February 22, 2021 and Shelby County has one provider on the list. Hope Community Medicine is allocated to receive a total of 200 vaccine doses.

Shelby County, a part of Public Health Region 4/5N, reports 1,107 people have been vaccinated with at least one dose and 635 people are fully vaccinated. Shelby County has an estimated population of 19,449 of people 16 years of age and older. With the 11th week shipment, the county has received 1,200 doses.

Past weekly vaccine allocations for Shelby County:

  • Week 8, February 1 - Hope Community Medicine 300 vaccine doses
  • Week 4, January 4 - Aurora Concepts, PLLC 100 vaccine doses
  • Week 4, January 4 - Hope Community Medicine 100 vaccine doses
  • Week 2, December 21 - Aurora Concepts, PLLC 100 vaccine doses
  • Week 2, December 21 - Brookshires Pharmacy 300 vaccine doses
  • Week 2, December 21 - Hope Community Medicine 100 vaccine doses

CDC continues shipping vaccine for the current week, delayed due to weather

As Texas thaws from this week’s winter storms, COVID-19 vaccine will again be distributed across the state in larger amounts. Texas providers have been allocated 591,920 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the federal government for the week of Feb. 22. The Texas Department of State Health Services has instructed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship those doses to 563 providers in 230 counties across Texas, including 84,240 doses for large vaccine clinics in Harris, Dallas and Tarrant counties supported by the federal government.

The added first doses directed to the federal sites over the next three weeks will allow Texas to allocate additional doses to communities where vaccine supplies have been much more limited, leading to vaccine distribution to the largest number of counties of any week so far.

In addition to the first doses mentioned above, the state is ordering 364,830 doses intended as the second dose for people first vaccinated a few weeks ago. People who had second dose appointments delayed by winter weather should rest assured knowing that vaccine will be available, and their appointments will be rescheduled. Even if they receive the second dose outside of the recommended six-week time frame, they will get the full protection of the second dose and will not need an additional booster shot.

The federal vaccine tracking system shows more than 100,000 first doses and 300,000 second doses intended for delivery this week still awaiting shipment due to weather conditions around out-of-state warehouses and across the country. Those doses are expected to be delivered in the first half of next week, followed by the vaccine allocated for next week.

Texas providers have administered more than 4.3 million doses of vaccine. More than 3 million people have received at least one dose, and almost 1.3 million have been fully vaccinated.

Texas continues to vaccinate health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated. Currently, there is not enough vaccine to supply every provider with vaccine every week.

Per a recent label change, each vial of Pfizer vaccine now contains six doses leading to a minimum order of 1,170. People can find more information on COVID-19 vaccine at https://www.dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine/.

Helpful links:

Update 4pm - ****Supplies Out**** A second distribution is anticipated soon. More information when it’s available

February 19, 2021 - The Emergency Management Office currently has a limited supply of water and MRE’s for distribution. This will be from now till 5:00pm today (February 19) or until supply runs out behind the Shelby County Courthouse.

We have submitted requests for more through the proper resource request submission procedures.

The water is in 32oz containers. With limited supplies, one case of water and one box of MRE’s per vehicle please.

February 19, 2021 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison signed a Declaration of Disaster on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

WHEREAS, the County of Shelby, Texas, on the 17th of February, 2021, has suffered widespread and serious property damage, resulting from severe weather conditions, such as freezing rain, ice, snow, and critically low temperatures.

WHEREAS, such conditions have created a public safety hazard.

WHEREAS, the County Judge of Shelby County, Texas, has determined that extraordinary measures be taken to protect life, as well as, to protect and/or rehabilitate property, and are necessary and hereby ordered. 

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the County Judge of Shelby County:

I. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code. 

II. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of this declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas. 

III. Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.

IV. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the county/city Emergency Management Plan. 

Ordered this 17th day of February, 2021.

Status as of Friday, 11 AM 

February 19, 2021 - Today we welcomed 200 crews to aid in restoration. Unlike tornado or hurricane damage that generally impacts a portion of our system more than another, this storm produced damage and outages across our full system. While we love our East Texas Pine Trees, they are not a good partner  to heavy ice! These widespread outages are making it very difficult to give specific restoration estimates by area at this point. Keep in mind that today is the first day that we’ve had temperatures above freezing. Navigating highways with large, heavy equipment and getting extra crews here has been a challenge on icy roads. We expect to see some good progress today.

At this time, we are prioritizing water systems as they are critical infrastructure. This does not mean we are not working on all other areas as well.

If you are without power, please call 1-800-392-5986. For prompt service, please know your meter number. Due to heavy call volume we are experiencing some delays in recording your outage. Please continue to call our lines. Without your meter number, you will experience longer times or dropped calls as we cannot connect everyone with a live agent with this many outage calls still coming in. 
There are several news stories circulating about high bills to come and price gouging within the electric industry. Please know that only a small portion of the DETEC system (less than 1%) is within the much talked about ERCOT system. In addition, you are served by a non-profit cooperative whose price structure is not as told in these stories. PLEASE DO NOT WORRY over these fear filled stories. The current focus is restoring power and getting folks back to a comfortable state in their homes, this coverage is counterproductive to that goal.

February 19, 2021 - Sabine State Bank will open at noon today, February 19 and will extend banking hours on Saturday, February 20 until 2pm. Please check back for updates as weather conditions change.

February 18, 2021 - Shelby County Offices will be closed Friday, February 19, 2021 due to road conditions, power outages, and water outages. We plan on opening for business Monday, February 22, 2021.  

Everyone please be careful and stay safe!


February 17, 2021 - Shelby County Offices will be closed on Thursday, February 18th due to the current weather crisis. 

Everyone please stay off the roadways. 

Please stay safe and warm!! 


February 16, 2021 - Due to the weather, Shelby County Offices will be closed on Wednesday, February 17, 2021.  

The Commissioners' Court meeting is cancelled for Wednesday, February 17.

I urge everyone to stay off the roadways, if you have to go out, please be careful. Stay warm and safe.  


February 15, 2021 - Due to dangerous road conditions all County Offices will be closed Tuesday, February 16th.


February 14, 2021 - The County Offices will close Monday, February 15, in observance of President's Day.

February 18, 2021 - The winter weather continues and many are needing to venture out to get fuel for generators and vehicles. Shelby County Today will keep a list updated of open gas stations with fuel available. Please be advised - the situation can change quickly so each notice we receive and post, we will include a time stamp. As of 2:17pm lines don't appear to be too long. Hurst Street in Center has one lane open each on the northbound and southbound side.

If you know of a fuel station open and with fuel available, email SCT at sctoday@att.net or text it to 936-332-4845. Please include gas or diesel or both, the name and location of station, and any other relevant details.

  • Quick Stop in Joaquin (1:33pm)
  • NuWay in Joaquin (1:33pm)
  • Quick Stop in Tenaha, Credit Card Only (12:40pm)
  • CheckOut in Logansport has supreme fuel (12:35pm)
  • CEFCO on San Augustine Street in Center has gas, no diesel (2:17pm)
  • Texaco at Southview Circle in Center has diesel and gas (2:17pm)
  • Exxon on Hurst Street in Center has diesel and gas (2:17pm)
  • No fuel at Shell station on 96 North (2:28pm)
  • No fuel at Murphy in Center, they are closed and Walmart is closed (2:28pm)
  • Brookshire Brothers in Center has fuel, pay at pump only, credit card required. Grocery Store open until 5pm. No milk, bread, eggs, or propane. (2:14pm)
  • H&S Grocery on Shelbyville street is Open. (3:30pm)
  • Brookshire Brothers and Quick Stop in Timpson (2pm)

February 18, 2021 - This week has been historic in terms of the severity of the weather across the state. I am praying for the safety of our community and our state. 

Here are five things happening around your state: 

1. Winter weather cripples Texas

A large winter system blew through Texas this week dropping 6-8 inches of snow and ice in parts of the state and leaving millions without power for days at a time. Freezing temperatures coupled with water and snow on the roads lead to iced out conditions, impassable roads, and multiple, lasting road closures. These conditions led to a shutdown of most businesses, including the state legislature which cancelled all of the scheduled hearings this week. Those hearings will be rescheduled at a later date. Local officials and power suppliers have been working hard to get Texans’ power back online.

The governor announced at a press conference this week that he ordered natural gas producers not to export any natural gas outside of the state until after this crisis is over to allow power generators to continue working. Additionally, he encouraged Texans to start reaching out to plumbers to plan repairs if pipes burst in your home. He encouraged the Board of Plumbing Examiners to grant provisional licenses to out-of-state plumbers and those who have let their license lapse in the past two years. 

2. ERCOT and why Texas has its own electric grid 

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) runs Texas’ electric grid. ERCOT was formed in 1970 and was tasked with managing grid reliability in accordance with national standards. Importantly, ERCOT is an entity that is unique to Texas as our electric grid is entirely within our borders, so it is not regulated by the federal government. Most of Texas is covered by ERCOT, except for El Paso, northern parts of the panhandle, and parts of Southeast Texas – including the majority of Senate District 3. The ERCOT grid remains beyond federal regulation because it is not under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s jurisdiction as FERC can only regulate interstate electric transmission. Though Texas’ grid remains independent, it does have ties to other grids including Mexico’s power grid and a few connections to the Eastern Interconnection through Oklahoma. Texas’ grid has its roots in the way electric utilities developed in the early 20th century. Small plants sprouted up throughout Texas as a way to supply power to the cities. They began linking to each other and furthered these connections during WWII to move power from dams along rivers to power factories that were helping with the war effort. These combined efforts formed the Texas Interconnected System, which eventually became ERCOT. 

3. Texas ranked #1 exporter for 19th year in a row

Texas was ranked the number one exporter of all goods and products in the United States for the 19th year in a row. Texas ended 2020 with $279 billion in export trade, which is more exports than the next three highest ranked states combined, including California, New York, and Louisiana. Texas also ranked number one in exporting technology products for the eighth year in a row. Those exports totaled $44.8 billion. This is just another reason Texas is the number one state for business.

4. Senate Business and Commerce Committee to host hearing on ERCOT, power outages

Due to the failures of the ERCOT system and power outages across the state, Business and Commerce committee chair Senator Kelly Hancock has called a hearing of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee to investigate extreme weather preparedness and circumstances that led to the widespread power outages as directed by ERCOT. The committee will also examine generator preparedness and performance, natural gas supply, the reliability of renewables during this crisis, and overall ERCOT resilience. The committee will meet on February 25th at 9am in the Capitol building. To tune into this hearing, please visit https://senate.texas.gov/events.php

5. Best practices during winter storm 

During this extreme weather event, it’s important to keep in mind some best practices to ensure the health and safety of you and your community. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower if possible to conserve energy. Draw your curtains to preserve heat. Try and reduce your electric footprint by unplugging devices not in use. If you lose power, do not bring in any grills or outdoor cooking devices to heat your home or run your car in your garage. That can cause carbon monoxide poisoning which is a silent killer. Wear loose layers of clothing. Go to a warming shelter if possible. Find those at https://tdem.texas.gov/warm/.

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