OVERNIGHT STORMS LEAD TO DOWNED TREES, POWER OUTAGES

  

Update @ 1:30 p.m. Bluebonnet's outage alerts map shows that power has been restored to all those who were affected by the overnight outages in Washington and Burleson counties.

Original Story @ 11:15 a.m.: Area residents saw damage and experienced some power outages as a result of storms overnight.

Interim Brenham Police Chief Lloyd Powell and Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak both reported downed trees or tree limbs, some along roadways.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is working on restoring power to members who lost power early this (Wednesday) morning west of Brenham and north of Lake Somerville.  The outages originally affected 183 members near the lake and 53 near Brenham.  As of 11 a.m., approximately 63 members by the lake and 45 members by Brenham were still without power.

Click here to view a map of reported outages in Bluebonnet's service area.

Bluebonnet Public Affairs Manager Will Holford said the outage west of Brenham along Highway 290 West began shortly before 2:45 a.m. and was caused by a tree that fell on power lines and broke a power pole.  Electric crews have removed the tree and replaced the pole, and are working on reinstalling the lines.  Holford said repairs should be completed and power restored around 11:30 a.m.

As for the outage near the lake, Holford said it started around 3:30 a.m. and was also weather-related, though line worker crews are still using diagnostic equipment to determine where the outage is originating and what is causing it.  The cooperative has isolated sections of power line and restored power to about 120 members.

Holford said Bluebonnet is communicating with affected members directly and providing them status updates.