RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) – Residents across the Valley are waking up to downed trees, awnings and fences after an overnight storm hit with winds of up to 80 mph.
The big issue this morning is the widespread power outages being experienced in the Upper Valley.
AEP Texas is reporting more than 100,000 customers in the Valley are without power as of 8:45 a.m. The vast majority of those outages are in Hidalgo County. The Brownsville Public Utility Board, also known as BPUB, is reporting that slightly more than 10,000 customers have no electricity.
Magic Valley Electric Coop is reporting none of its customers are having power issues.
The Texas Department of Transportation said crews are out this morning picking up debris, downed construction signs and other items from state highways.
“We ask that drivers limit their activity on the roadways this morning. We know they will be tempted to go out and drive around looking at all the damage, and there’s a lot of it. But keep the roads clear for those who need to be out there on them,” said TxDOT spokesman Ray Pedraza.
He added that drivers need to be careful because of the debris and barricades that may have been blown over.
Pedraza said the overpass that goes from Edinburg to McAllen, Direct Connector 4, is closed because of an 18-wheeler that toppled onto its side. It’s not known yet if the high winds contributed to the accident.
2 mobiles lost their awnings here in the park, lots of branches and twigs all over the street, some metal and plastic lawn chairs were out in the streets.
