Dallas

Thousands Without Power After Storms Rip Through North Texas

Power is slowly but progressively returning to the areas hit by storms late Sunday night.

As of Tuesday morning, more than 30,000 Oncor customers in Dallas County remain without power.

At its peak, more than 140,000 across North Texas were without electricity early Monday morning, with that number being reduced to about 65,000 by Monday evening.

Oncor says it is getting help from repair crews from Texas and other states.

Jose Limas lives along Park Lane, just north of Love Field. He said he was grateful to have power restored by the time he returned home from work Monday afternoon.

Limas had been without power since late Sunday.

"It's pretty creepy how you can't tell really how dark it is until you get a black out. It's completely black," he said. "I mean, the only light we had at the moment was lightning, that went off -- what? Even after the tornado?" 

According to Oncor officials, the electric company will rebuild entire systems in many areas hit hardest. The lengthy process could involve new utility poles, transformers and power lines before restoring power to a neighborhood.

Homes along Orchid Lane in the Preston Hollow neighborhood in Dallas were completely destroyed as a result of the EF-3 tornado Sunday night. Preston Road remained closed to passing cars on Monday.

Judy Vandermeer has lived in her home for about eight years. She said she took cover in her bathroom just in time Sunday.

"I got against this wall right here, and it just kind of rumbled," Vandermeer said. "I prayed. The Lord took care of me as He's been doing all along. I know He's in control of this and that's the way it's going to be, whether the house is going to be back again -- or wherever I am."

Most of Vandermeer's home was reduced to debris, with the roof completely torn off. Her family helped her collect what she could Monday.

"It does look like Armageddon. I mean, you look down the street and all you see if destruction. There's nothing left," her son-in-law Bruce Thomas said. "It's just completely gone. Houses are ruined. The large trees that have been here for decades are all destroyed. It's just awful."

Oncor said their personnel would continue to work around-the-clock to rebuild and restore service to customers.

About 4,000 Oncor personnel and mutual assistance personnel from utility partners across Texas and neighboring states were expected to join restoration efforts by Tuesday.

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