Severe Storms cause Power Outages, Damage across East Texas

EAST TEXAS — Severe storms with high wind and hail moved through the area Friday night and early Saturday morning leaving many residents and businesses in East Texas without power. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said there were 13 reports of trees and or power lines blocking roadways. The Gregg County Emergency Management Coordinator has been assessing the damaged areas Saturday. No injuries have been reported.

Several trees and power outages were also reported in Rusk County. According to KTBB’s news partner, KETK, Rusk County Emergency Management said fire and EMS crews responded to a report of a tree on top of a house on State Highway 64. No word on any injuries.

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, had issued tornado watches Friday for eastern Texas and western Louisiana, moving up through eastern Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and into Missouri and Iowa. The weather service also warned of the potential for strong thunderstorms, large hail and damaging winds.