Deluge deemed disaster in Orange County

‘The touchdown of one or more tornadoes has caused extensive and widespread damage to public and private property, disruption of utility service, and general endangerment of the health and safety of the residents of Orange County.’  — Orange County Judge John Gothia

Following a deluge that sparked twisters tearing up Southeast Texas on Tuesday, Jan. 24, Orange County Judge John Gothia has declared a state of emergency.

Jan. 25, Gothia signed the official declaration, which states, “The touchdown of one or more tornadoes has caused extensive and widespread damage to public and private property, disruption of utility service, and general endangerment of the health and safety of the residents of Orange County.”

According to Gothia’s penned proclamation, he has determined that “extraordinary measures must be taken to protect life, as well as to protect or rehabilitate property.”

In addition to the severe damage caused at the height of the weather event on Jan. 24 – which poured torrential rain, gusted with 50-60 mph winds, lightning and several tornadoes – thousands of customers lost power into the following day, Jan. 25.

According to reports from Entergy Texas, at its peak, the storm caused more than 32,000 power outages in the region, with approximately 17,200 customers still in the dark on Wednesday morning. Additional resources were required in the hardest hit areas of Orange, Port Arthur, Winnie and Beaumont to assist with restoration efforts, Entergy announced. Of those without power the day after the storm, Orange County residents comprised the lion’s share with more than 13,000 customers without power as of 9 a.m.

“Critical transmission infrastructure and 11 substations were damaged by the storms,” Entergy data detailed in the wake of the storm. “Four substations have been restored. This equipment is critical, as it allows power to be carried into the area.”

Damage assessments further showed 40 downed poles, 11,000 feet of downed wire, 20 damaged transformers and 45 damaged crossarms.

While recovery is underway, survivors are advised to be mindful to keep  away from downed power lines, and assume they are energized; to not run a generator in an enclosed space; and not open the refrigerator door to avoid rushing food spoilage.

City of Orange officials are currently taking assessments throughout the community to remove trees from the roadway, repair signage, etc. Anyone who sees an area that may need immediate assistance is asked to contact the city of Orange at (409) 883-1081.

Those wanting a closer look at the storm’s impact can visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vASsASC9XQ to view a video posted by a  resident who captured a view of the outskirts from her residence in Pinehurst.