After severe storms swept across the DFW area early Tuesday morning, leaving thousands without electricity service, Oncor estimated it would have power restored to most customers by Friday evening.
In a news release issued on Wednesday morning, Oncor stated that more than 650,000 customer outages had been reported following the storm. Within 24 hours, Oncor teams had restored power to more than 340,000 customers.
The power company has added 5,000 additional personnel from surrounding states, and teams are working 16-hour shifts around the clock to restore service as quickly as possible.
“We estimate that restoration will be substantially complete by Friday evening, weather permitting. Harder hit areas are expected to be restored Saturday,” Oncor said.
In some areas, the restoration work has been hindered by flooding, fallen trees, and road debris. In some of the most severely damaged areas, crews must uproot trees and install new utility poles and transformers before running new power lines to the affected homes and businesses.
“We recognize the hardships and inconveniences customers face after severe storms like this one,” the company stated. “Customers are encouraged to check on neighbors and elderly or vulnerable residents and to seek alternate accommodations if their power is not on.”
Oncor also warned that if the meter base or weatherhead to the home or business were damaged in the storm, owners would need to contact an electrician for repairs before power could be restored.
Individuals who see downed power lines should leave the area immediately and call 911 to report the danger.
Customers are encouraged to download the MyOncor app, text OUT to 66267, or call 888-313-4747 to report an outage or check the status of an outage in the area.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said on Tuesday that he was anticipating a “multi-day power outage for a significant number of Oncor customers,” WFAA reported. Dallas, Denton, Rockwall, and Kaufman counties have all issued disaster declarations in the wake of Tuesday’s powerful storm.