Power Outage in Navasota, TX

Bitter cold air and wind overspread SE Texas behind and Arctic front on Valentines Day with wind chill indices below zero for much the period from Sunday night to Tuesday morning. Increased power demand, wind and ice led to widespread power outages. Bursting pipes caused many to be without water as well.

Strong damaging winds and wind gusts were observed across a large part of Grimes County in association with a large line of severe thunderstorms. The National Weather Service accompanied by the Grimes County emergency manager conducted a storm survey and found several areas with trees uprooted or snapped. In each case, trees were pushed down to the east or northeast and generally in the same direction as nearby damage. All observed damage was consistent with straight line downburst winds. A parked tractor trailer was blown over between Navasota and|Anderson along Highway 90. A hay barn was destroyed near the intersection of CR 211 and CR 215, about 3 miles ESE of Anderson, with debris blown toward the east. There were also trees down in Roans Prairie and Richards, again pointing eastward.|Some of the more significant damage occurred near the town of Shiro where several large trees were uprooted, some of which fell onto mobile homes. No injuries were reported. Other damage was observed in Navasota where trees and power lines were downed and doors were blown off at a fire station. In the Roans Prairie area, there was sign damage at a gas station, and trees were also downed.

Sheriff's office reported trees and power lines down across the city.

A storm system combined with cold air at the surface led to 1/2 to 1 inch ice accumulation generally north of a line from Columbus to Navasota to Huntsville to Groveton. Precipitation fell mostly in the form of freezing rain, with sleet occurring in heavier thunderstorms. Most accumulation was on trees and power lines, with numerous trees and power lines downed. Heaviest icing occurred in Burleson, Brazos, and Washington counties. SH 36 bridge between Burleson and Washington counties was closed with icing reported on FM 3058 and FM 166 in Burleson County. The ice storm caused numerous power outages with most of the city of Brenham without power for over a 12 hour period.

Numerous trees down at CR 166 and CR 190 5 miles northeast of Anderson and along SH 6 just north of Navasota. Numerous power lines down across county.