Over half a million power outages have been reported in Texas as severe storms ravaged the state over Memorial Day weekend and continued into this week. The latest wave of storms hit Texas and the Southern Plains on Tuesday, contributing to the ongoing severe weather crisis in the central U.S. that has claimed at least 22 lives over the weekend. In Texas, at least one storm-related death occurred on Tuesday when two homes under construction collapsed due to hazardous winds and heavy rain. Dallas County officials have declared a disaster, anticipating a prolonged power outage affecting a significant number of utility customers.

Widespread Power Outages

Numerous outages have been reported statewide over the past 72 hours, affecting regions such as Dallas, East Texas, Houston, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, and areas along the Texas-Mexico border. The counties with the most significant outages include:

• Dallas County: Over 200,000 outages
• Harris County: Over 128,000 outages
• Collin County: Over 24,000 outages
• Kaufman County: Over 14,000 outages
• Denton County: Over 10,000 outages
• Hockley County: Over 7,000 outages
• Polk County: Over 5,000 outages
• Aransas County: Over 3,000 outages

Dallas County, with a population exceeding 2.6 million, reports the highest number of outages in the state. Harris County, home to Houston and the most populated county in Texas with over 4.8 million residents, also faces substantial outages. Surrounding counties such as Collin, Denton, and Kaufman are similarly affected.

Ongoing Challenges in Dallas

As of Wednesday morning, Dallas County continues to experience significant power outages, with over 200,000 customers still without electricity. This prolonged outage has created considerable disruption for residents, compounded by the severe weather conditions. Judge Clay Jenkins of Dallas County communicated via social media that the storm’s aftermath would likely result in a multi-day power outage for many residents. Emergency services are stretched thin as they respond to widespread damage and attempt to restore essential services.

The recent storms have tested the resilience of Texas’ infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities in the state’s power grid and emergency response systems. Utility companies are working around the clock to restore power, but the extent of the damage suggests that full restoration may take several days. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay indoors and avoid any downed power lines. Local authorities are coordinating with state and federal agencies to provide relief and support to those impacted by the storms.

Looking Ahead

The severe weather in Texas and the broader Southern Plains underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of storms affecting the central U.S. In response, there is a growing call for improved infrastructure resilience and more robust emergency preparedness plans to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters in the future. As Texas navigates the aftermath of these storms, the focus remains on restoring power, ensuring the safety of residents, and rebuilding affected communities. The cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies will be crucial in the days ahead as recovery efforts continue.