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July 9, 2024 - Following the storm which entered Shelby County July 7-8, 2024, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is encouraging those who may have damage to utilize the TDEM Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) to submit damages incurred by your Residence or Business property.
Click here to go to a reporting page where you select the incident that corresponds with your damage. "July 7th - Ongoing Hurricane/Tropical Storm Beryl (English) / 7 de Julio - en Curso Huracán/Tormenta Tropical Beryl (Español)" is the link that applies to the July 7-8 incident, Hurricane Beryl.
There is also an instructional video on what procedures to follow in reporting: Individual State of Texas Assesment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Surveys Page.
1. This isn't a substitute for insurance
2. Reporting is voluntary
3. Reporting does not guarantee assistance
4. Reporting allows emergency personnel to assess needs
July 9, 2024 - Overnight/early Tuesday morning, power was restored to many of our substations. At this time, power remains out to our Martinsville, Hilltop (Shelby County, south of Center), Hemphill, Six Mile, Holly (San Augustine County), Pendleton and Black Ankle substations from the power supplier. No estimated time of restoral has been provided for these areas. In the interim, crews have been working on storm damage across the system. Approximately 75 extra hands are in route to assist with power restoration. Once power is supplied, those remaining out will be due to storm repairs needed. If you are still without power, please continue to report your outage.
Outages and hazards may be reported through our mobile app, online portal or by calling 1-800-392-5986. For prompt service, please know the telephone number associated with your account and the meter number at the location. The meter number is the 6-digit number following DETEC on your meter or it can be located on your utility bill.
July 8, 2024 - At 5pm, DETEC is currently experiencing a power supply outage to 19 of our 34 substations. Power suppliers AEP and Oncor have dropped the load to these stations. DETEC is in contact with these providers to determine the cause and solution. At this time, we have no estimated restoral time to these stations. In the interim, crews are working on storm damage to prepare for restoration when the power is supplied. Approximately 30,530 outages are reported currently on the DETEC system.
What You Need to Know
July 8, 2024 - Due to multiple confirmed tornadoes across the ArkLaTex area, there have been impacts to our energy delivery system.
- Additional outages could occur until SWEPCO’s transmission system is stabilized.
- Customers should prepare to be without service for an extended period.
- Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to threaten the area with additional tornadoes, heavy rain and flooding.
Current Situation
With ongoing confirmed tornadoes across the ArkLaTex service area, there have been impacts to our energy delivery system. As a result, additional outages could occur until SWEPCO’s transmission system is stabilized. Customers should prepare to be without service for an extended period. Our teams will be working as soon as possible to safely get the power restored.
Tropical Storm Beryl, once a Category 5 hurricane, made landfall on the Texas Gulf Coast early Monday morning. As Beryl moves inland, the strong storm system has spawned several tornadoes, produced strong winds and heavy rainfall. The threat continues for more tornadoes and flooding through Tuesday. Customers are encouraged to stay weather aware.
As of 4pm Monday, approximately 23,000 SWEPCO customers were without power. This includes customers in Southwest Arkansas, Northwest Louisiana and Northeast Texas. New outages could continue to occur as the transmission system is stabilized.
Updated 3:37pm: Tornado warning until 4:15pm. At 3:34pm, a tornado producing storm was located near Tenaha, or 8 miles north of Center, moving north at 45 mph. Radar confirmed tornado - damaging tornado. Impact includes flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. This tornadic storm will be near... Tenaha around 3:40pm and Carthage around 3:55pm.
Updated 3:16pm: At 3:07 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Patroon, or 14 miles southeast of Center, moving northwest at 35 mph.
Updated 1:28pm: At 1:28 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Neuville, or 8 miles south of Center, moving north at 85 mph.
Updated 1:10pm: At 1:10pm, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Macune, or 25 miles south of Center, moving north at 40 mph.
July 8, 2024 - The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a Tornado Warning for Southeastern Shelby County in eastern Texas, Eastern San Augustine County in eastern Texas, Southwestern Sabine County in eastern Texas until 130 PM CDT.
At 12:38pm CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Browndell, or 12 miles northeast of Ebenezer, moving north at 50 mph.
Hazard: Tornado.
Source: Radar indicated rotation.
Impact: Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
This dangerous storm will be near Pineland around 12:45pm CDT. San Augustine around 1pmCDT. Bland Lake around 1:05pm CDT.
Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Bronson, McElroy, Denning, Chinaquapin, and Calgary.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
July 8, 2024 - After being struck by what is believed to be a tornado, all responders are being called back as of 3pm.
Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, has confirmed every local fire department in Shelby County is on scene assisting with cleanup and locating any residents that may be unaccounted for.
The City hall has been severely damaged and other overhangs around other buildings such as Quick Stop and Quick Care.
Photo Courtesy Tenaha VFD
Texas Department of Public Safety, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department deputies, Constable Precinct 4 Texas Department of Emergency Management and Commissioner Precinct 4 are assisting on scene.
July 8, 2024 - Shelby County Tax Assessor-Collector Debora Riley advises the Tax Office and the Motor Vehicle offices will be closed today due to weather. The office should open back up tomorrow with regular business hours.
July 8, 2024 - Timpson Mayor Debra Smith is telling everyone as of 1:41pm July 8, 2024 to stay home at this time as tornadoes are hitting Shelby County as the result of Beryl.
City Hall has been damaged. Quick Stop has received damage and other buildings in the city have also been received damage from the storm.
Everyone is asked to please stay home. Stay off the roads, and stay safe. Do not come to Timpson at this time.
Additional information will be updated when available.
July 8, 2024 - Tornado Watch 514 is in effect until 10pm CDT for the following locations:
Texas counties included are: Angelina, Bowie Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Marion, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, and Walker.
July 7, 2024 - A strong thunderstorm will impact south central Panola and northwestern Shelby counties through 6pm CDT.
At 5:17pm CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7 miles southeast of Timpson, or 8 miles west of Center, moving north at 15 mph.
Hazard: Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
Source: Radar indicated.
Impact: Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include: Center, Tenaha, Timpson, Gary City, Dotson, Stockman, and Woods.
Precautionary/Preparedness Actions: If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
This storm may intensify as outflow boundaries will interact, so be certain to monitor local radio stations and available television stations for additional information and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
July 6, 2024 - State Highway 7 (SH7) East was the scene of a two-vehicle crash Friday, July 5, 2024, involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle at around 9pm.
According to information from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary crash investigation indicates that at approximately 8:40pm, a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle ridden by Franklin Jackson II, 56, of Joaquin was traveling west, followed by a silver 2018 Hyundai Elantra passenger car driven by Jamesala Pucillo, 34, of Mansfield, La. It is reported that the Kawasaki slowed to make a left turn into a private drive and was struck in the rear by the Hyundai.
Jackson lost his life as a result of the incident and was pronounced deceased at the scene by Donna Hughes, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. Melba Rodgers, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3, was also on scene.
He was later transported from the location by Watson & Sons Funeral Home.
EMS were on scene and transported Pucillo by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department for treatment of possible injuries.
DPS reports Pucillo was not injured, and displayed signs of intoxication and is facing intoxication charges and unlawful carrying of a weapon. This is an active and ongoing investigation, and no further information is available.
Personnel with the Center Fire Department, Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD), and DeSoto Fire District 1 halted traffic at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and State Highway 7 in Joaquin, as well as State Highway 7 and FM 2608 in the James Community so Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers could investigate the scene of the crash and other traffic wouldn’t get caught stopped at the scene for several hours.
Additional units with JVFD had both ends of the scene closed near CR 3182 for approximately a mile to allow for DPS to perform their investigation assisted by Constables from Precincts 4 and 5, as well as the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office and Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.
The roadway was reopened at around 12:55am, July 6.
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