BEAUMONT, Texas — Storms moving across Southeast Texas Tuesday afternoon left power outages and downed trees.
Just after 11 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 6 p.m. that included all of Southeast Texas.
A tree fell on a house at 981 Yorkshire, there are downed power lines and pasture fire on Garner Rd., as well as a tree down in the 2600 block of canal in Nederland., according to Crystal Holmes with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO).
Holmes tells 12News that there is a report of a tree down at Highway 365 and Hildebrandt. They caution people that with downed trees comes down power lines and not to approach them.
There was a downed power line on Burrell-Wingate Road at Boondocks Road, according to JCSO.
It's important to remember that power outages cause traffic lights to go out, but drivers must still stop at each and every traffic light.
Entergy has an online outage map where you can view outages in their service area.
Number of outages as of 4:30 p.m.
- Chambers County- 2193
- Hardin County- 4,142
- Jefferson County- 14,381
- Liberty County- 975
- Orange County- 1,390
- Tyler County- 1,861
- TOTAL: 22,962
Restoration times are estimates only according to the Entergy website.
MORE | Entergy Outage Map
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Severe weather causes downed trees, power outages across SE Texas
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Here’s some tips from the Entergy website on how to stay safe during an outage…
- Create an emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, and first aid supplies.
- Maintain supplies of healthy and filling snacks that don't require refrigeration, such as dried fruits, nuts and protein bars.
- Make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power.
- Purchase ice or freeze water-filled plastic containers to help keep food cold during a temporary power outage.
- Learn about the emergency plans established in your area by contacting your state or local emergency management agency.
- If you rely on anything that's battery-operated or power dependent, such as a medical device, have a backup plan.
- Maintain backup generators according to manufacturers' recommendations and store an adequate supply of fuel in a safe place.
During an outage, disconnect or switch off appliances and electronic equipment that were running when the power went out. Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers to save cold air and preserve food longer.
Generators | Operate backup generators safely by following manufacturer's instructions. Don't attempt to connect your generator to the electrical system; it can backfeed to outdoor utility lines and injure or kill utility service personnel. An automatic transfer switch — installed by a qualified electrician — will help to ensure safe operation. Learn more here.
Refrigerated foods | Discard any perishable items in your refrigerator or freezer that may not be safe to consume. A refrigerator keeps food at a safe temperature for up to four hours during a power outage if it remains closed. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends discarding foods such as meat, poultry and eggs if they've been above 40°F for more than two hours. Learn more here.