KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative is providing instructions on what residents should do when they regain power to prevent another outage. According to our news partner KETK, when power is restored after winter storms, it frequently goes off again because a large number of electric heaters come on at once, placing an unusually heavy load on the system.

To avoid another outage as power is being restored, the cooperative is asking residents to take the following steps, including: Turning off the breaker to your home’s electric heater or unplugging heaters, turning off the breaker to your hot water heater, unplugging appliances and electronics, and waiting 30 minutes to turn appliances back on after power is restored.

The cooperative also said that once power is restored, residents should turn off their furnaces and gradually bring their homes to a comfortable temperature.

TYLER – Due to icy road conditions, City of Tyler offices and facilities will be closed Tuesday. Emergency functions will continue. 

Streets  
Street crews are still clearing roads and spreading deicing material. Residents are advised to keep their distance from the trucks. 

Use the MyTyler App to report non-emergency street damage and downed trees. The app is free to download. Residents can report blocked roads to the Street Department at (903) 531-1393 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, please contact the Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency line at (903) 531-1000.   Continue reading City offices closed Tuesday

EAST TEXAS — The winter weather is diminishing somewhat, our news partner KETK has compiled a list of counties without power. You can view that list here.

SMITH COUNTY — After several dogs, including multiple puppies, were found abandoned at a mobile home park in Chapel Hill, Nicholas Pet Haven and Smith County Animal Control are looking for volunteers to foster the dogs.

According to our news partner KETK, members of animal control arrived at Woodcrest Mobile Home Park on Monday morning after receiving a Facebook post asking for support for the dogs. Animal control found 11 dogs, including seven puppies and four adult dogs, and provided them with food, water and shelter from the freezing temperatures.

Animal control believes the dogs were likely abandoned by former tenants at the mobile home and stated that the manager of Woodcrest has warned residents not to feed the dogs, claiming they will receive citations if they do.

After confirming the dogs were abandoned, Nicholas Pet Haven and Smith County Animal Control have been in contact with rescue groups and local animal shelters as they are looking to find volunteers to foster the dogs. Continue reading Animal shelters need fosters

EAST TEXAS — Winter weather is here and school districts and churches are announcing closures to ensure the safety of residents. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of school closures, delays and church closures. You may view that list here.

LUBBOCK – Former 321st District Court Judge for Smith County Carole Clark was severely injured in a car crash while returning to Texas from a trip to New Mexico recently. According to our news partner KETK, current 321st District Court Judge Robert Wilson said that Clarke was traveling with her husband AD, when their vehicle crashed and he was killed. The crash left Clarke with broken ribs and a head injury. Wilson said Clark is currently being treated for her injuries at a hospital in Lubbock.

Clark was first elected as 321st District Court Judge for Smith County in 2010. She was re-elected in 2014 after winning that year’s Republican Primary and she left office when her second term ended in 2018.

LONGVIEW — A tripped circuit breaker sparked a house fire Saturday evening, prompting a response from the Longview Fire Department. Crews were dispatched around 7:32 p.m. to a reported fire at 202 Margo Street after residents reported that they circuit breaker had tripped, followed by a burning smell in the home. Upon arrival, firefighters found a fire in the ceiling and attic area of the home, according to our news partner KETK.

Crews quickly extinguished the fire, which was in its early stages. No injuries were reported. Three occupants were displaced after power to the home was shut off. Officials estimated property damage to be $15,000.

Fire officials reminded residents to report electrical issues, such as frequent circuit breaker trips, and to have electrical systems inspected when problems arise.

LONGVIEW – After East Texas was hit by a winter storm on Saturday morning, the Longview Police Department provided an update on what residents should expect moving into Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, although road conditions have not been as bad as expected, residents should be advised that conditions will likely worsen as the storm continues into tomorrow

As freezing temperatures will continue into the night, Brown said that the Longview Exhibit Center will remain open as a warming center until 7 p.m. The Salvation Army and Highway 80 Rescue Mission have also opened their facilities as warming centers to the general public.

“Stay at home to the best of your abilities unless you have a major reason why you need to leave,” Brown said. “The fewer people we have on the road, the less likely we are to have accidents and crashes.”

EAST TEXAS — Extreme cold and ice buildup are causing power outages across multiple counties after the winter storm moved through the area. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of counties from the Texas power outage map, and as of 4:02 a.m. on Monday, about 35,811 customers were without power. You can view that list here.

SMITH COUNTY — Drivers are urged to take extra precautions as icy conditions have developed on roadways. According to our news partners at KETK and the National Weather Service, the following tips can help people travel safely in icy conditions:

Slow down. Even at low speeds, ice can cause your vehicle to lose traction and slide.
Increase following distance. Leave plenty of space between you and the car ahead in case of sudden braking. Continue reading Winter driving tips

TYLER – Several flights for the weekend across East Texas have been cancelled or delayed. According to our news partner KETk and American Eagle Airlines, all American Airlines flights scheduled to depart from the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport have been cancelled due to incoming severe weather. The airline said it has not yet decided on the status of Sunday’s flights and will continue to monitor the weather. The East Texas Regional Airport in Longview, has cancelled all flights scheduled for Saturday and Sunday morning. The airport said it will continue to monitor the weather to decide the status of flights scheduled for Sunday afternoon and Monday.

TYLER – Due to inclement weather, City of Tyler offices and facilities will be closed Saturday, Jan. 24 through Monday, Jan. 26. Essential and emergency functions will continue.

The City of Tyler will monitor weather conditions to determine if offices will open at regular businesses hours or at a later time on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Ice Storm Warning from Friday through Sunday along with an Extreme Cold Warning for the Tyler area until Monday at noon. Ice is expected with some sleet and snow mixed in over the weekend. If travel is necessary, use caution and be aware of possible ice and slick spots on area roads.

All City of Lufkin business offices will also be closed on Monday for the safety of our employees and the public. Emergency services will continue to operate as needed. City officials encourage residents to stay warm, monitor official weather updates, and use caution if travel is necessary. Continue reading City offices closed