Power Outage in Plano, TX

Multiple power poles were laying down on the south side of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and State Highway 121.

Emergency management reported 7 power poles blown over, some of which were on homes.

Emergency management reported numerous trees down onto power lines in Farmersville, TX. Significant ice accumulations were reported across the county, including half an inch of freezing rain in Plano, a quarter-inch in Wylie, and six-tenths of an inch of sleet in both Plano and Frisco.

Extreme cold gripped the county for several days. Overnight lows were below 20 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the week. The period of February 15-16th was the coldest with low temperatures between 5 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum temperature on the 15th was only in the lower teens. Wind chill values during the 14th-16th were between 0 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time. The cold temperatures resulted in an extreme amount of damage to pipes, infrastructure, and power. One indirect fatality occurred in Collin County due to the cold: an elderly male passed away in early March from health complications that were exaggerated by frostbite during this time period.

Amateur radio reported that 2-inch diameter tree limbs and power lines were blown onto the road near the intersection of Independence Parkway and Maumalle Drive in the city of Plano, TX.

Fire and rescue reported wind destroying a barn and debris being blown into power lines.

Up to 3-4 of ice and sleet accumulated in Collin County. Most of the accumulations were due to sleet and the heaviest amounts were across the northern parts of the county. The COOP Observer in Frisco reported 3.5-4 of ice and sleet. The public reported 3.25 of sleet in McKinney. Numerous traffic accidents occurred on the icy streets and hundreds of tree branches broke due to the weight of the ice. In McKinney, one tree fell through a house in the downtown area. Several power lines also snapped due to the weight of the ice. In Plano, carports tumbled under the weight of the ice, damaging some cars underneath. A few days later, as the ice finally started to melt on the 8th and 9th, ice tumbled off of multi-story apartment buildings in Plano and damaged several cars that were parked below. The clean-up from the ice storm took several weeks.

Sixty MPH winds were estimated in west Plano. Power poles were also knocked down on Midway Road north of Plano Parkway.

Severe thunderstorm winds knocked down large trees and large tree branches in Murphy. Also, several power poles were either snapped or leaning in the city.

A damage survey conducted by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth found that a tornado touched down in southwest Allen and traveled northeast seven miles to south McKinney. Structural damage occurred to approximately 50 homes in Allen with several of them sustaining roof damage. A total of 300 residences reported some type of damage including downed trees and fences. In McKinney...numerous homes either lost part or all of their roofs or sustained roof damage due to impacts from flying debris. The Collin County Regional Airport sustained damage to several hangars and some aircraft. Throughout both towns, numerous power lines and poles were downed. Estimated insured losses for both cities is $10 million. This tornado was rated an EF-1 with winds speeds around 90-95 MPH.

Numerous power lines and trees were blown down by the winds, which were between 20 to 30 MPH sustained and gusted between 50 and 60 MPH for hours. A huge cloud of dust overspread the county, causing visibilities to fall dramatically. Trees and power lines toppled onto houses and cars, causing extensive damage to roofs and carports. Downed power lines caused several grassfires and caused power outages at about 2,600 residents. In addition, Highway 160 between Highway 121 and Whitewright was closed due to downed lines.

Numerous minor wrecks were reported due to ice-covered roadways. About 300 people were without power as ice-laden oak trees leaned or fell on power lines. City officials estimate a total of a half-inch of ice.

Strong winds blew down numerous trees and tree limbs, as well as power lines around the county.

Power lines down in the west part of town.

A tree was blown down near the intersection of Coit Road and Highway 190, causing traffic delays of more than 2 hours in either direction. Large limbs were blown down at the intersection of Custer Road and Plano Parkway on the west side of Plano. The traffic control box was also knocked down. Power lines were reported down throughout the city, knocking power out to 5,000 people. Spotters reported wind gusts as high as 46 MPH.

A Bradford Pear tree split and fell onto a power line in McKinney. This was caused by strong winds associated with dissipating thunderstorms.

A fast moving cold front brought strong northwest winds and blowing dust to north Texas Friday afternoon. Visibilities dropped to 3 miles in some locations due to the blowing dust. Measured wind gusts reached 51 MPH at Meacham Airport in Fort Worth and at Addison Airport in north Dallas. Several thousand people lost power. Minor damage was reported around the area, with several windows blown out of downtown Dallas skyscrapers. Downed trees and power lines were also reported. In Collin County, a large part of a roof was blown off, a grill was blown across a yard, and heavy signs were blown down.

Power lines were blown down by high winds.

Trees and power lines blown down by high winds.

Numerous reports of trees, power lines, and street signs blown down.

Trees and power lines were blown down all across the county.

Large tree limbs were blown onto power lines.