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The water on N.E.W. WSC no longer requires boiling.
June 6, 2024 - On May 31, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality required the N.E.W. Water Supply, #2030034, to issue a Boil Water Notice to inform customers, individuals or employees that due to conditions which occurred recently in the public water system, the water from this public water system was required to be boiled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
N.E.W. Water Supply has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes. We have also provided TCEQ with laboratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use as of June 6, 2024.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the office: 220 West Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas. 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp 936-201-5001.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
If a customer, individual or employee wishes to contact the executive director, please call (512)239-4691.
May 31, 2024 - Due to a electrical outage caused by storm, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required the N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation PWS #2030034 to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (eg., washing hands/ face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received the notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact N.E.W. Water Supply Corporation at 220 W. Columbia Street, San Augustine, Texas, 75972, or call 936-288-0489 or Charles Sharp at 936-201-5001.
June 5, 2024 - Estimated time of restoration Learn more about our restoration process.
Due to the weather impacts, SWEPCO has released NEW estimated restoration times for 95 percent of all customers in these areas, weather permitting. However, power could be restored sooner.
Note: Restoration time for Waskom, Texas customers currently offline due to transmission repairs is estimated at 9pm, Wednesday, June 5, weather permitting.
Texas
6pm Thursday, June 6
Texarkana, Texas, Atlanta, DeKalb, New Boston
12-Midnight Thursday, June 6
Mt. Pleasant, Daingerfield, Mt. Vernon, Naples, Pittsburg, Winnsboro
4pm Saturday, June 8
Center, Gilmer, Gladewater, Henderson, Kilgore, Longview, Marshall, Mineola
Louisiana
10pm Wednesday, June 5
Bossier City
5pm Thursday, June 6
Shreveport, Haughton, Vivian, Plain Dealing, Mansfield, Logansport
Arkansas
Midnight Wednesday, June 5
De Queen, Nashville
6pm Thursday, June 6
Texarkana, Arkansas, Ashdown
June 2, 2024 - (2:23pm) - Following concerns over a potential extended power outage in the Shelby County area due to a major transmission failure impacting a tristate area, power is being more quickly restored to many.
It appears the majority of Center has power, and SWEPCO confirms Shelby County is now reported to have 500 customers in their network remaining without power.
Portions of Shelby County continue to be without power and parts of Joaquin and Tenaha have power while some in Timpson remain without. The Shelbyville area continues to contend with damage from the storm which entered Shelby County on Thursday.
If your power does not come on, it may be necessary to re-report your outage.
There is a possibility for additional temporary outages as power is being restored and repairs are made.
Previous update from SWEPCO issued at 11:11am
Successive, Multi-Day Storms Downs Trees, Damages Energy Infrastructure
What You Need to Know
- The ArkLaTex has seen tornadoes, heavy storms and significant rainfall in recent days. The relentless multi-day storm created new challenges for the more than 300 additional line and tree crew responders working quickly and as safely as possible to restore power across the area.
- The most recent wave of storms first swept through the ArkLaTex late Thursday and included three confirmed EF1 tornadoes. New storms emerged on Friday and brought more damaging winds and rain and returned to deliver a third blow to the region, again, on Saturday.
- Crews were making significant and steady progress when the Saturday storms barreled through the ArkLaTex, and downed more trees, damaged infrastructure and created new outages.
- SWEPCO’s transmission system, the backbone of our energy delivery system, was also damaged.
- Following the storm, SWEPCO mobilized patrols to begin assessments and early Sunday morning deployed aerial patrols via helicopter to identify damage to the system and needed repairs. Preliminary assessments show multiple trees on the line and damaged infrastructure.
- Based on transmission damages, numerous substations are also temporarily offline and creating customer outages in areas of Panola County in Texas, southwestern Caddo Parish and DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.
- Current restoration estimates for 95 percent of customers who can receive power in the Henderson and Kilgore areas of Texas and the Hornbeck and Natchitoches areas of Louisiana is 10 p.m. Sunday, June 2, weather permitting. It is 4 p.m. Monday, June 3 for Mansfield area of Louisiana. Power may be restored sooner. Estimated times of restoration for areas impacted from overnight storms will be made available once assessors have completed their work.
- Customers are urged to stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
- There remains a concern for additional weather outbreaks throughout SWEPCO’s three-state service territory. Customers are advised to stay weather aware. Dangerous weather can slow restoration.
CURRENT SITUATION
SWEPCO’s ArkLaTex storm response, which included hundreds of utility professionals deployed to hardest hit areas, was temporarily slowed by a concussive wave of storms that fired again on Saturday, downed more trees, damaged SWEPCO’s transmission system, the backbone of its energy delivery system, and created additional outages. Transmission lines bring high-voltage power from generation operations to substations, where it's "stepped down" to be used by numerous distribution networks.
Despite the setback, SWEPCO remains united in our purpose to get the lights back on as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to rebuild following this significant storm.
Learn more about our restoration process.
With substantial rainfall throughout May, the ground is extremely saturated, which can make even a slight wind cause trees to fall from outside the right of ways and potentially create new outages.
Chances remain for more storms to pop up across SWEPCO’s entire three-state service territory. Customers are advised to remain weather aware.
ESTIMATED TIME OF RESTORATION
SWEPCO has provided estimated restoration times for areas impacted by the storm. However, service could be restored sooner. Estimated times of restoration for areas impacted from overnight storms in Panola County, Texas, and southwestern Caddo and DeSoto parishes in Louisiana will be made available once assessors have completed their work.
Customers who signed up for email or text alerts could receive direct updates on the estimated restoration time at their home or business as crews continue working to restore power. To sign up to receive your personalized restoration update, visit swepco.com/alerts.
- Louisiana
10 p.m. Sunday - Hornbeck area and Natchitoches area
4 p.m. Monday - Mansfield area - Texas
10 p.m. Sunday - Henderson area and Kilgore area
POST-STORM SAFETY TIPS
- Stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
- Carefully investigate before cleaning up any debris. Tree limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a power line.
- If using a generator, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
CAN YOU RECEIVE POWER?
Now is the time for customers to determine whether their home can receive power - SWEPCO cannot connect power to a home or business if there is damage to the service entrance, which is owned by the customer. Customers must have a licensed electrician repair damage before power can be restored. Click for a flyer in English & Spanish.
Learn how to identify weatherhead damages by watching this video. ENGLISH | SPANISH
GET RESTORATION UPDATES
By enrolling in our alerts at SWEPCO.com/Alerts, customers get updated restoration information. When our crews arrive on individual work sites, a more precise restoration time for the affected group of customers will be updated in our system and communicated through alerts if the customers have signed up to receive our notifications by phone or email. Updated information can also be found at SWEPCO.com/OutageMap.
Enroll in our alerts at SWEPCO.com/Alerts
POST-STORM SAFETY TIPS
Find post-storm safety tips: https://www.swepco.com/safety/
Report outages: Report outages: SWEPCO.com/outage
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should customers do if they see downed lines? Don't touch it or anything near it. Even telephone or cable lines can become energized. Keep yourself and others as far away as possible and call 911 or SWEPCO immediately at (888) 218-3919.
STAYING CONNECTED
- Download the SWEPCO mobile app: SWEPCO.com/app
- Follow SWEPCO on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram and YouTube
- Make sure we have your most recent contact information at swepco.com/account/
NEXT UPDATE
We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. Updates will be provided at SWEPCO.com as well as other communication channels.
June 5, 2024 - Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison has issued a Declaration of Disaster for Shelby County as of June 2, 2024, and the Shelby County Commissioners are now slated to consider ratifying this decision at their Emergency Meeting scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024.
Judge Harbison has encated this declaration tue to the flooding, excessive rain, excessive wind and downed trees that has occurred between the dates of May 30, 2024, and current ongoing events of June 2, 2024. At that particular time, Judge Harbison referenced the county being without electrical power and having widespread communication outages.
Copied from SCT without permission.
The Declaration of Disaster is as follows:
WHEREAS, the County of Shelby, Texas, has suffered from severe storms, high winds, and widespread flooding that was occurred prior to and on this the May 30, 2024. The severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage to public and private property, disruption of utility service, and endangerment of health and safety of the residents of Shelby County and Cities within the disaster area.
WHEREAS, because of the severe weather for the past four (4) days that Shelby County is in imminent threat of additional widespread storms or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from countywide severe weather conditions. Flooding in the populated areas has caused major damage to roads and bridges preventing access to or the safe passage on many roadways. Many trees have been blown down and limbs have fallen on power lines causing countywide power outages. Such conditions have created a public safety hazard.
WHEREAS, the County Judge of Shelby County, Texas has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect life, as well as protect or rehabilitate property, are necessary and hereby ordered.
Now, Therefore, Be It Proclaimed By The County Judge Of Shelby County:
Copied from SCT without permission.
I. That a local state of disaster is hereby declared for Shelby County, Texas, pursuant to Section 418.108(a) of the Texas Government Code.
II. Pursuant to Section 418.108(b) of the Texas Government Code, the state of disaster shall continue for a period of not more that seven days from the date of the declaration unless continued or renewed by the Commissioners' Court of Shelby County, Texas.
III. Pursuant to Section 418.108(c) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the County Clerk.
Copied from SCT without permission.
IV. Pursuant to Section 418.108(d) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster activates the county/city Emergency Management Plan.
Ordered this 2nd day of June, 2024.
Copied from SCT without permission.
June 3, 2024 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, announces CR 1011 is closed down from the intersection of CR 1017 Monday, June 3, 2024.
The road is completely washed out, and will be closed for an unknown time due to numerous major problems.
June 5, 2024 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, announces CR 1289 is closed due to a washout on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
For everyone’s safety, drivers are encouraged to choose an alternate route as this one is unavailable and is not safe.
June 4, 2024 - Roscoe McSwain, Commissioner Precinct 1, state the bridge on CR 1440 off FM 138 is closed to through traffic due to a washout on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
For everyone’s safety, drivers are encouraged to choose an alternate route as this one is unavailable.
June 4, 2024 - While heavy rain conditions were impacting Shelby County, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, emergency responders had to rush to roadway incidents.
State Highway 7 West approximately one mile from FM 711 was the scene of a single-vehicle crash incident around 1:15pm involving a maroon Dodge pickup truck.
The vehicle appeared to have left the roadway to the right before traveling through a fence and coming to rest against another fence.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and emergency medical services personnel responded to the location.
Both the driver and passenger involved were out of the vehicle and walked away from the crash.
At around 1:40pm, a single-vehicle incident occurred on U.S. Highway 59 near CR 4624. A grey Nissan Altima was northbound when it crossed the southbound traffic lanes and traveled into a tree line, where it came to rest.
Both the driver and passenger appeared uninjured. Once the Nissan was pulled by wrecker out of the tree line, it was determined to have only received minor damage and the driver was able to drive it from the scene.
Officers driving Derrek Hughes, 33 of Joaquin, into the Sallyport at the Shelby County Jail.
June 4, 2024 - The manhunt for a Joaquin man ended Tuesday, June 4 without incident. Law enforcement located Derrek Hughes, 33, at a motel in Center. The Center Police Department, Constable Pct. 3 Roy Cheatwood, Constable Pct. 4 Taylor Fanguy, and Deputy Constable Pct. 5 John Pope worked together to bring Hughes into custody and end the twenty-four hour manhunt. Center PD officers transported Hughes to the Shelby County Jail for booking.
The hunt began when Constable Cheatwood attempted to make a traffic stop on Hughes earlier in the day on Monday. Hughes is wanted in connection to a shooting in Livingston which occurred in January.
Texas Department of Public Safety State Troopers, Texas Game Wardens, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, De Soto Parish, Center Police Department, and Constables from Pct. 3, 4, and 5 all assisted in the search.
More arrests are expected.
June 4, 2024 - At 9:30am on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 the National Weather Service, Shreveport, LA stated the forecast flooding changed from Minor to Moderate severity for the Sabine River at Logansport affecting Panola and Shelby counties, and De Soto parish.
For the Sabine River including Mineola, Hawkins, Gladewater, Longview, Beckville, Logansport... moderate flooding is forecast.
Do not drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.
For more hydrologic information, visit online https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/SHV
At 9:30am the National Weather Service stated the Flood Warning remains in effect until further notice as minor flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is forecast for the Sabine River at Logansport.
At 32.0 feet, Severe flooding problems from Joaquin, Texas to Logansport, Louisiana with numerous access roads and secondary roadways flooded. The city of Logansport must take precautions to ensure the safety of its water plant at this stage.
Additional Details:
- At 8:45 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 28.8 feet.
- Bankfull stage is 27.0 feet.
- Recent Activity... The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 8:45 AM CDT Tuesday was 28.8 feet.
- Forecast... The river is expected to rise to 32.0 feet Sunday morning. Additional rises are possible thereafter.
- Flood stage is 28.0 feet.
- Flood History... This crest compares to a previous crest of 32.0 feet on 04/24/1942.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
June 3, 2024 - Shelby County is receiving another round of stormy weather, and heavy wind is as of 10:38 pm Monday, June 3, 2024 possibly the cause of a tree that is reported to be across part of U.S. Highway 59 North outside of Tenaha, where a truck has also struck the tree. Emergency personnel is on scene there. (Update: by 1:43am the tree on U.S. 59 was clear).
State Highway 7 West just west of SL 500 has a tree across two lanes of traffic, and the Center Fire Department is reported to be working to clear that debris.
We have received report, as of 11:13pm, of a tree across FM 2694 at Welcome Hall, and a tree on power line off FM 417 at the intersection of FM 2975.;
It has been reported to Shelby County Today, the tree by Welcome Hall has been cleared and the one off FM 2975 is just awaiting CO-OP.
Travelers should continue to use caution in relation to these incidents, as well as other potential weather related circumstances to which emergency crews will be responding.
If you are aware of any other incidents which are a result of the current weather conditions that may be of public interest, please share.
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