TYLER, Texas — Cooling shelters are being opened, roadways are still closed and many remain without power after Tropical Storm Beryl tore through East Texas on Monday.
Check out our live blog below:
3 PM - Nacogdoches County Judge Greg Sowell signed a disaster declaration Monday afternoon after Tropical Storm Beryl left behind damaged homes and businesses along with downed utility lines and trees.
Sowell signed the declaration after reports of damages in the northern part of the county. The National Weather Service is surveying damage that the storm caused.
According to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office, the area of U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 259 between the city of Appleby and the Mahl community saw the most severe damage. One person had a minor injury when windows in the car they were in shattered, causing a laceration, Monday afternoon. They refused emergency medical treatment.
One business in the 14000 block of U.S. 59 saw major damage to one building and another building destroyed. Several homes around County Roads 125, 118, 116 and 111 suffered extensive damage, the sheriff's office said.
Non-emergency lines for the Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office and the Nacogdoches Police Department have been restored. NCSO also heard reports of grass and tree fires sparked by the storm.
Residents whose homes or businesses suffered damage as a result of Tropical Storm Beryl should submit a report to the Texas Division of Emergency Management at damage.tdem.texas.gov.
10 AM - After Beryl ripped through Sabine County, devastation was left behind at the Holly Park Marina. Officials say a possible tornado came across the water from the southeast, making it nearly impossible to see. RVs were tossed around and hanging in trees.
9:15 AM - Verizon and T-Mobile customers are experiencing issues getting calls out across the region.
"We are currently experiencing issues with our non-emergency lines for Verizon and T-Mobile customers only," the City of Longview said in a statement. "Attempting to use our non-emergency number will result in a busy signal. If you need police assistance and are calling from a Verizon or T-Mobile cellular phone, please consider delaying your call if possible. However, if your situation is an emergency or the need for police assistance cannot be delayed, dial 911. For all other providers and landline users the system is working properly. Verizon and T-Mobile are actively working to resolve this issue and we will notify you as soon as the problem is solved."
9 AM - TxDOT says the following roads remain closed due to flooding and debris:
- FM 2274 (Cherokee County)
- FM 855 (Cherokee County)
- FM 1252 (Smith County)
8:52 AM - Many Upshur County office phone lines are down, according to Pct. 1 Constable Tim Barnett.
8:30 AM - The City of Longview is opening a cooling and charging station Tuesday, July 9, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. at the Longview Exhibit Center, located at 1123 Jaycee Dr.
8:15 AM - Due to power outages at some City of Longview offices, employees of the following departments will report at noon:
- City Hall
- Longview Public Library
- Development Services
- Housing
- Visit Longview
- Central Fire Administration
The Paula Martin Jones Recreation Center and Green Street Recreation Center are closed, and without power. Broughton Recreation Center has power and recreation staff are working from that location. All other employees and offices should be open and operating as normal.