In Sulphur Springs and elsewhere in Hopkins County, more than 4,000 homes and business are without electricity this morning. The power outages are due to physical damage to infrastructure caused by ice. Oncor reports more than 3,000 customers without electricity this morning in Hopkins County. More than 700 Farmers Electric Cooperative customers in the county are also without power. Elsewhere around the region, in Lamar County, about 500 Texas New Mexico Power customers have no service at the moment. In Red River County, about 1,000 Texas New Mexico customers are without power.
Region-wide, the Texas electrical grid itself has been holding up throughout this week’s weather events. Although temperatures have been below freezing across much of Texas for most of this week, readings have remained in the mid 20s for much of this week’s winter weather. The absence of extreme cold has mitigated the demand placed on the electrical grid.
Texas A&M University-Commerce and Paris Junior College remain closed today, as do area school districts. Most public agencies and offices are closed. The City of Commerce has announced there will be no trash pickup today.