Judge: Nearly 30% of homes in Rusk County without power

RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) — Nearly 30% of Rusk County residents were without power Saturday as utility crews scrambled across the county to repair damaged power lines and downed trees, Rusk County Judge Joel Hale confirmed.

“We’re helping to clear roads and helping (Texas Department of Transportation) and helping SWEPCO and Rusk County Electric as much as we possibly can,” Hale said Saturday on East Texas Now. “In most cases, they’re pretty self-sufficient, but we’re available to help.”

Hale said 28% of the county’s electric customers were without power, with his own home temporarily losing power around 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

While forecasts do not predict the same intensity of winter weather the region experienced in 2021, Hale said crews prepared in advance.

“Starting probably Thursday and certainly yesterday, our road and bridge crews were out sanding bridges and sanding hills in areas that needed to be done,” the county judge explained.

A disaster declaration for the county was made around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Hale said.

“A lot of this, we’ll just have to react to it,” Hale explained, “but our crews are ready. We’ve got four great commissioners, and they’re working to keep our citizens safe.”

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