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In Between the Winter Storms; Power Loss in the Big Bend

aep-trucks
Utility trucks, Marfa TX, December 2013. (TM/KRTS)

Less than two weeks ago, Far West Texas was hit by an ice storm that collapsed power lines, but even today hundreds of rural customers still have not been connected to the grid.

When the storm hit in late November, several towns in the Transpecos lost electrical power for days. For about 80 minutes on Thursday morning, power was cut to Marfa, Valentine, Shafter, and Fort Davis, while residents elsewhere complained of power flickers.

Now, the weekend forecast shows that more winter weather is on its way.

For KRTS News, Tom Michael reports on how West Texans are preparing for another winter storm. He also investigates why there were so many downed utility lines  throughout the Big Bend region. He asks who - to this day - is still without power.

In the podcast attached, he speaks with representatives from AEP Texas, the City of Marfa, Rio Grande Electrical Cooperative, and others.

 

Former KRTS/KXWT News Director