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July 10, 2024 - Officers with the Center Police Department conducted a traffic stop on July 9, 2024, in the 900 block of Hurst St. that resulted in one arrest on outstanding warrants, drug, and weapon charges.
Officer Michael Davidson observed a 2010 Ford F-150 traveling northbound on Hurst St. that failed to stop or yield right of way at an intersection located at Hurst St. and Timpson St.
Officer Davidson activated his emergency lights and conducted the traffic stop. Officer Davidson contacted the driver who was identified as Everret Pedescleaux, 39 years of age, of Livingston, TX. Officer Davidson requested a backup officer respond to assist.
Sgt. Brian Wright and his K9 partner, Enzo arrived on scene to assist.
Sgt. Wright deployed K9 Enzo to conduct an open-air search around Everrets' vehicle. K9 Enzo alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle.During a search of Everrets' vehicle, a loaded pistol, approximately a pound of marijuana, and $15,000 dollars in U.S. Currency were located in the vehicle. Along with other items found were packaging materials, a vacuum, and a heat seal machine
Everret was found to have outstanding warrants out of San Jacinto County for drug charges and he was placed into custody on the outstanding warrant, drug, and firearm charges.
Everret was transported to the Shelby County Sheriff's office and booked into the Shelby County Jail without issue.
July 10, 2024 - WHEREAS, the County of Shelby, Texas, has suffered from severe storms, tornados, and high winds that occurred prior to and on this the 8th day of July, 2024. The severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage to public, private, and commercial property, disruption of utility services, and endangerment of health and safety of the residents of Shelby County and Cities within the disaster area.
WHEREAS, because of the severe weather and that Shelby County is in imminent threat of additional widespread storms or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from countywide severe weather conditions. Flooding in the populated areas has caused major damage to roads and bridges preventing access to/or the safe passage on many roadways. Many trees have been blown down and limbs have fallen on power lines causing countywide power outages. Such conditions have created a public safety hazard.
WHEREAS, the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect life, as well as protect or rehabilitate property, are necessary and hereby ordered.
Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County:
1. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more that seven days from the date of the declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.
Ill. 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 toSection 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the county city Emergency Management Plan.
SWEPCO crew seen above set up at the intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive.
Update: The traffic light on Hurst Street at Roughrider Drive in Center is operational as of 12:15pm Wednesday, July 10.
July 10, 2024 - A SWEPCO crew is set up at the intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive in Center where the traffic lights are still not functioning as of 12-noon on July 10, 2024.
July 10, 2024 - The intersection in Timpson has been reported to now be functional, as of 10:49am.
July 9, 2024 - The intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Jacob Street in Timpson has also been without power to the traffic lights at that intersection and remains without power as of 7:53pm.
The intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive in Center was the scene of a major crash Tuesday, July, 9, 2024, between an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck.
The traffic lights at this intersection remain off since the recent storm, and were not in operation when the crash occurred.
Drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution at this intersection and when approaching any intersection where the lights are not operating as they should be.
Take all effort to follow necessary traffic laws and help prevent another crash.
The truck-tractor involved appeared to have collided with the pickup truck in the middle of the intersection, and after being evaluated by EMS, neither driver was transported to the emergency room by ambulance.
As the day has progressed, yet another two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Hurst Street and Roughrider Drive in Center at around 2:20pm. Center Police Department officers have continued to work traffic at the intersection, as many drivers either inadvertently travel through the intersection because they don’t realize the traffic light is inoperable, or just dismiss it altogether.
Center Police Department, Center Fire Department and EMS personnel all to returned to the scene of the previous incident and while Center Police officers investigated the crash, Center Fire Department personnel diverted traffic through a nearby shopping center parking lot to keep the flow of traffic moving. Once the scene was clear, the traffic lights remained off and traffic returned to “normal” with some driver’s treating the intersection as a four-way stop and others not knowing what to do in the absence of a traffic signal.
At around 3:11pm a TxDOT truck was on scene for a time. Electric utility trucks were on scene at around 5:30pm before departing as well.
As of 5:58pm the lights are still not reported to be functioning.
July 9, 2024 - After dealing with the constant flow of traffic on Hurst Street in Center and the increased danger of traffic incidents, the Center Police Department has issued a statement the evening of July 9, 2024.
The Center Police Department is aware of the traffic light at Hurst St. and Roughrider Drive that is currently not working. They have relayed the information to TxDOT.
Hurst St. is a U.S. Highway and TxDOT has jurisdiction over the traffic lighting.
The Center Police Department states it currently has Officers stationed at that intersection and their Officers are working traffic violations at that intersection to slow drivers down, and make them aware of the traffic light.
The statement further notifies that while the traffic light is not working, that intersection is to be treated as a four-way-stop.
If traveling in the area please be aware of that intersection and the inoperable traffic lights.
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.
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