Power Outage in Paris, TX

Freezing rain/ice totals across the county ranged up to 0.50 with the higher totals in the far eastern part of the county. Tree damage was reported and power lines were down.

A tornado formed near Brookston in western Lamar County and tracked rapidly northeastward, passing to the northwest of Paris, Texas before exiting the northern edge of Lamar County, east of Arthur City. The tornado continued into Choctaw County Oklahoma and additional information about the damage in that county can be found in a separate entry. Several dozen individual homes, businesses and outbuildings were impacted across western and northern Lamar County. Damage consistent with EF-3 intensity tornadic winds of 150-160 mph were identified at several locations west through north of Paris. In particular, several residences along Farm Market Road 1499 northwest of Paris were completely unroofed, with most external and internal walls destroyed. This damage was consistent with tornado intensities of approximately 160 mph. One particular house on CR 33620 revealed EF-4 damage, with estimated winds of at least 170 MPH. EF-3 damage of 145 to 155 mph was also identified with a small number of structures along Farm to Market Road 906 near Mideity, as well as with a residence along Farm to Market Road 2820 west-northwest of Paris. Primary damage to these structures was the total loss of roofs and large-scale interior and exterior wall failure. EF-2 damage, consistent with winds of 111 to 135 mph, was identified with a number of other structures along the tornado's path. Structures with this degree of damage had either all or large portions of their roofs destroyed or significantly damaged, with some wall failures. Widespread EF-1 damage was also apparent all along the track from Brookston to east of Arthur City, as evidenced by trees uprooted, power poles snapped, outbuildings severely damaged, and/or wood frame homes with serious roof damage. Maximum estimated winds were 170 mph.

Emergency management reported downed tree limbs and several power outages across Lamar County.

Extreme cold gripped the county for several days. Overnight lows were near or below 10 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the week. The period of February 15-16th was the coldest with low temperatures between 2 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the maximum temperature on the 15th was only in the lower teens. Wind chill values during the 14th-16th were between 0 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time. The cold temperatures resulted in an extreme amount of damage to pipes, infrastructure, and power. The State listed 1 fatality in Lamar County due to the winter storm but no additional information could be obtained.

Emergency management reported numerous trees and power lines down, several barns damaged, and several roofs of homes damaged in the city of Paris, TX.

The police department reported trees and power lines down, which resulted in power outages across east Paris.

Up to 1 of freezing rain fell across the county causing significant damage to trees, tree branches, utility poles and lines due to the heavy collection of ice. The COOP Observer in Paris reported 0.75 of ice. Hundreds of trees, tree branches, and power lines were knocked down and travel was difficult across the county. The EOC in Paris lost power and all communications due to a power outage. All emergency radio communications were also knocked out by the power outage. Falling tree branches and ice damaged cars and roofs. In addition, an estimated $10.5 million in damage to roads and bridges was caused by the ice storm.

Paris police reported several trees and power lines blown down in the city of Paris.

Trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm winds in the city of Reno.

Paris PD reported downed power lines in the road and tree limbs blocking roads.

A downburst caused damage on the east side of Paris. Power lines and trees were knocked down, and roof and minor building damage was sustained to a few buildings; including the CVS pharmacy near Lamar Avenue and Highway 271. The metal-roofed garage next to a home on Smallwood Road was destroyed.

A downburst caused damage on the east side of Paris. Power lines and trees were knocked down, and roof and minor building damage was sustained to a few buildings; including the CVS pharmacy near Lamar Avenue and Highway 271. The metal-roofed garage next to a home on Smallwood Road was destroyed.

Severe thunderstorm winds uprooted and snapped trees and tree limbs across Lamar County. Power poles were also snapped, and the giant steer at Sirloin Stockade on NE Loop 286 in Paris was blown off its trailer moorings and tossed across the parking lot.

A wind gust of 65 mph was estimated in Paris. Tree limbs in Paris were knocked down and a few power outages occurred.

The Paris AWOS measured sustained winds of 43 kts with gusts up to 58 kts due to a heatburst caused by dissipating storms. The temperature at Paris rose 11 degrees in one hour while the dewpoint dropped 18 degrees. Trees were snapped and knocked down in town, the power was knocked out, and a barn was blown across a road.

A few trees and power lines were blown down due to several hours of gusty southerly winds.

Signs were blown down and some light property damage occurred as a strong cold front blew through the area. Wind damage to roofs, barns, and outbuildings was common. The Rogers-Wade building in downtown Paris lost its roof and suffered structural damage. Power outages were reported in Blossom. The Paris observation reported 41.4 MPH sustained early in the afternoon.

A motel and a restaurant sustained damage to their roofs on Highway 271 and Loop 286 on the north side of town. Power lines were also blown down.

Trees were reported down and power outages occurred in northwest Lamar County and southeast Paris.

Strong winds blew down several trees and power lines around the county.

Several trees and power lines were blown down.

Numerous trees and power lines reported down.

Numerous trees and power lines reported down.

A roof was torn off a building at the intersection of North Collegiate Drive and Pine Mill Road. Trees and power lines were also knocked down. The strong winds were due to evaporative cooling associated with dissipating thunderstorms. Some of the 50-60 knot low level jet was mixing down to the surface.

A few power lines blown down in Paris by winds less than 58 mph.

Trees and power lines knocked down.

Power lines blown down.

Trees and power lines were blown down by high winds.

Power poles and trees were blown down by high winds.

High thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and power lines.