RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – Huge trees and power lines are still down in parts of East Texas after a fast-moving storm.
An area west of Kilgore, south of Highway 31 along FM 1639, was hit hardest, leaving thousands without power.
Along a stretch of County Road 1115, evidence of the storm that passed through can be seen everywhere. The storm snapped trees, with some torn out of the ground.
East Texas storm knocks out power, starts fire in Rusk County(rusk county)
“We got a call maybe 7:30, 8-o’clock, trees down on County Road 138 with power lines,” Rusk County Commissioner Randy Gaut said.
Rusk County crews started in the early morning hours to clear roads that were blocked by fallen trees. Gaut was out with the crews helping get rid of debris with a chainsaw.
“Right now we just got it out of the road and being proactive just getting it out of the roads, out of the ditches , out of the county right of way,” Gaut said.
Power crews were also out repairing lines that had been torn down by falling timber.
East Texas storm knocks out power, starts fire in Rusk County(rusk county)
A massive tree even impeded that path of an oncoming train .
“There was a tree that came down on a train at one point. The train had to stop,” Gaut said.
With extremely dry conditions, 100 degree heat and a storm, there was an expected byproduct, Fire.
A fire off Carr road is believed to have been started by downed power lines.
“Thunderstorms bring in some hazards with them, even if they bring in a little rain in one location. Lightning can start fires… They can also bring down trees and power lines. [These storms] create gusty winds that completely change the the intensity and direction of that fire that may not be close to the storm,” said Matt Burnett, Fire Coordinator for Northeast Texas Region, Texas Forest Service.
Clean-up crews halted work towards midday to escape the heat, but Gaut said they will be back to finish clearing the debris in the morning.
There were no reports of injuries or major damage to homes or structures.
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