Flights Canceled, Tens Of Thousands Without Power As High Winds Howl Across North Texas
NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Winds gusting to 60 miles an hour knocked out power to more than 100,000 people, caused hundreds of flight cancellations at DFW Airport, and snarled light rail service in two counties on Thursday.
In downtown Dallas, high winds threw debris off a skyscraper onto the street below.
Please avoid 1400 Elm as we clear falling debris from a building nearby caused by the heavy winds. pic.twitter.com/f8MGqvSn8n
— Israel Herrera (@dpdchiefizzy) October 28, 2021
Jason Evans with Dallas Fire-Rescue said a pool deck on the ninth floor of the National High-Rise Residences was threatening to blow over the edge.
Dallas Police shut down the street while the building facilities team worked to secure the deck.
At 4 p.m. today, Oncor reported more than 115,000 customers without power.
Oncor teams are working to safely restore power caused by damaging winds, which continue to blast Dallas-Fort Worth and the entire Eastern portion of our service area. As of 4 p.m., more than 115,000 customers were without power. https://t.co/WSNK8GcxfW
— Oncor (@oncor) October 28, 2021
"Oncor teams are working to safely restore power caused by damaging winds, which continue to blast Dallas-Fort Worth and the entire eastern portion of our service area," the utility said.
The National Weather Service said wind gusts hit 60 miles an hour at DFW Airport late in the afternoon.
The high winds forced the FAA to implement a ground stop for arriving flights at DFW. The order meant flights waiting to take off for DFW from other cities had to stay put.
DFW Airport officials said the delays were also due to the runway configuration planes were required to use.
???? HEAD'S UP: High winds have the airport operating in a Northwest flow today, so only our two diagonal runways are in use for safety reasons. This could cause delays.
— DFW Airport (@DFWAirport) October 28, 2021
Please check for potential changes to your arrival or departure as the day moves on: https://t.co/nyV91Qo4EW pic.twitter.com/FaDM57Dhka
American Airlines said it had to cancel 250 flights today because of the high winds, and delays of up nearly three hours were reported by the FAA at 6:45 p.m.
An earlier power outage that had impacted DART light rail operations in downtown Dallas and Plano was fixed and service restored, the agency said.
Carrollton Police went to social media to warn of a power outage affecting the northwest parts of the city and affecting traffic.
HEADS UP! A widespread power outage in Northwest Carrollton has knocked out power to traffic signals at several intersections including Hebron/121.
— Carrollton TX Police (@CarrolltonTXPD) October 28, 2021
Please watch for officers directing traffic, or treat dark signals as a 4-way stop! pic.twitter.com/Lg4VrwbNS1
In Mansfield, police shut down a major intersection after power lines blew down.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: North Main Street near Legacy High School is closed in all directions at this time. Power lines have fallen across the road. Our fire and police departments are on the scene and are waiting for Oncor to make repairs.
— City of Mansfield, Texas (@CityMansfieldTX) October 28, 2021
We will advise when the road reopens. pic.twitter.com/Nx6Yn53WeH
Denton County reported problems as well. Denton Municipal Electric responded to reported power outages across the city, including one at University of North Texas.
EMERGENCY REPAIR: North Texas Blvd.
— UNT Facilities (@UNTFacilities) October 28, 2021
Due to high winds, the power pole needs to be repaired.
Be aware southbound traffic on N TX Blvd is closed until further notice. https://t.co/xs6Bnk4iPh pic.twitter.com/hBko86KGh0
In McKinney, high winds knocked down part of a tree into the street.