Storm causes power outages, minor damage around town
A thunderstorm that came through Breckenridge earlier this morning brought up to an inch and a half of rain, as well as power outages and hazardous driving conditions that led to at least one traffic accident. A second round of rain started hitting the county around 11 a.m., and the area could see rain for most of the day.
Wednesday morning’s thunderstorm caused some minor damage round town, including some tree branches in the road on North Breckenridge Avenue. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, Breckenridge Police Officer Jarrett Elting was directing traffic at the intersection of West Walker and Harding streets because the traffic light wasn’t working, when a two-vehicle accident took place right in front of him. There were no apparent injuries, and the wreck was cleared from the roadway.
On North Breckenridge Avenue, some tree branches were in the middle of the street, and trash cans were turned over in the area. According to the National Weather Service, during the storm, winds reached as high as 29 miles per hour.
Breckenridge Fire Chief Calvin Chaney said there were no reports of major damage around town. The road construction signs near the Mile-Long Bridge over Hubbard Creek Reservoir were blown over, he said.
Several areas of Breckenridge and Stephens County suffered power outages, and although some power has been restored, several homes still are without electricity. The storm knocked out the power at the transmitter site for KLXK FM 93.5 radio, which has been off the air for several hours. However, the radio station can be heard online at http://klxkkrooradio.com/ .
Oncor’s website shows that the power should be back on between 12:30 and 3 p.m., depending on the area.
Stephens County will remain under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 29. The forecast shows rain chances from 20 to 40 percent continuing through next Monday.
Story by Tony Pilkington and Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Police Officer Jarrett Elting works the scene of an accident at the intersection of West Walker and Harding streets on Wednesday morning, May 29. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
