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SWEPCO working to restore power in East Texas; other groups provide places for cooling, charging and meals

There are ways if you or someone you know needs resources before the power is restored.

LONGVIEW, Texas — Tropical Storm Beryl may be gone and the sun may be shining, but some East Texas areas could feel the effects a little longer.

"We’re still in the middle of damage assessment," said Mark Robinson, SWEPCO external affairs manager. 

Robinson said SWEPCO has had crews out working quickly to get the power back in all places.

 "We had 14,000 customers out at the peak last night and we’re down to already 9,000 already," Robinson said.

There are ways if you or someone you know is needs resources before the power is restored.

"The city of Longview has put together a cooling center at the Maude Cobb Convention Center at the exhibition building. It'll be open until 9 p.m. tonight and that’ll get you in the cooler temperatures. If you’re out of AC, need something to drink or a snack you can swing by there and they’ve set that up in partnership with the Salvation Army and so they’re doing a great job," Robinson said.

People can visit the cooling station or the Salvation Army in Longview if you need anything at all.

"Walk through those doors and come get some food from 5:45 to 6:30 (p.m.). We are more than willing to do anything to help anybody right now," Salvation Army core mission associate Sarah Herbert said.

Even if people need help getting there, Herbert said they can assist in making that happen as well.

"We’ll be transporting people if they need a ride. We’ve got a van going around picking up people. I’ll be picking up people. Ms. Captain will be picking up people; anyone that needs anything they can call. Our phones are back on so they can call if they need a ride to the cooling station or to eat dinner here from 5:45 to 6:30," Herbert said.

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