Thousands of North Texas residents were left in the dark on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, as severe storms brought hurricane-force winds and baseball-sized hail to the region. The powerful weather system caused widespread power outages across Dallas County and other affected areas, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity.
The storms hit just as many North Texans were preparing to head to the polls for primary runoff elections. In response, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins signed a disaster declaration and extended voting hours until 9 p.m., ensuring all eligible voters could cast their ballots despite the disruptions.
The severe weather caused significant damage across North Texas, with many homes and businesses sustaining structural damage from fallen trees and power lines. In some cases, utility poles were sheared off completely, requiring replacement from the ground up.
Small business owners in affected areas were particularly hard hit by the power outages. For instance, at the Fillmore Pub in Plano's old downtown district, staff and patrons relied on candles to keep things running as they waited for power to be restored. The uncertainty surrounding restoration timelines left many businesses uncertain about when they would be fully operational again.
At least one person was killed during the storms when a house under construction collapsed in Magnolia, Texas. The victim, described as a 'juvenile male,' was removed from the scene by emergency responders.
Oncor, the region's largest power transmission operator, reported that almost half a million customers were still without electricity across North Texas as of 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening. The company said it was prioritizing critical facilities and had mutual aid coming in from other states to help with repairs.
Despite the challenges, Dallas County officials urged residents to stay safe and avoid downed power lines, which could be live even if they appeared inactive. They also emphasized that all tap water in the county was safe to drink despite the power outages.
