TEXARKANA -- A strong thunderstorm early Sunday disrupted electrical service for thousands of people in the Texarkana area.
The National Weather Service's Shreveport office predicts the possibility of more tumultuous weather Sunday evening.
By noon Sunday, a Southwestern Electric Power Co. spokeswoman said the storm knocked out electrical service for 3,224 customers in Texarkana, Arkansas, and 1,474 customers in Texarkana, Texas. The loss of power affected traffic signals, leaving some intersections with portable traffic signs and a police presence.
The SWEPCO spokeswoman said downed trees that snapped power lines account for some of the outages.
"We are working as quickly and safely as possible. We're going to get everyone's power on as quickly as possible," she said Sunday afternoon.
The NWS predicts the chance of additional damaging weather into Sunday night for Northeast Texas, Southeast Oklahoma and Southwest Arkansas.
"The Ark-La-Tex remains in a slight risk for severe weather Sunday evening. Damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and large hail of 2-plus inches in diameter will be possible with these storms. A spin-up tornado or two cannot be ruled out," the agency said Sunday afternoon.
A pair of SWEPCO employees work to restore electrical service along U.S. Highway 82 on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 24, 2023, in Nash, Texas. A storm that moved through the area early Sunday toppled a tree that snapped a power line, disrupting power for nearly 500 customers, a SWEPCO spokeswoman said. (Staff photo by Stevon Gamble)
A portable traffic sign helps to guide drivers at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Texas boulevards Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 2023, in Texarkana, Texas. The traffic lights were left inoperable after a strong storm disrupted electrical service earlier in the day. (Staff photo by Stevon Gamble)