Updated at 4:32 p.m.: 95,000 lose power across valley, number expected to rise
More than 95,000 South Texas are without power, as Hurricane Dolly continues to batter the region, according to American Electric Power (AEP).
High winds and airborne debris wreaked havoc with electric infrastructure in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties Wednesday. The number of AEP customers without power rose steadily from early Wednesday morning until The Monitor's afternoon deadline.
About 95,000 AEP customers are without power, as of 4:30 p.m.
"As the night wears on, the western side of Hidalgo County will see more outages," said AEP spokesman Jerry Don Wilson.
A high-capacity line running from Los Fresnos to Port Isabel went down early Wednesday morning. Wilson said 1,250 linemen, servicemen and tree trimmers will begin repairs and cleanup when the storm subsides.
AEP spokesman Lauro Solis said due to safety concerns, no crews are working now. He said AEP officials will meet at 5 a.m. Thursday to asses the damage.
Solis said 1,400 utility workers from all over the state, as well as New Mexico, will come to the Valley tomorrow and remain through Saturday to assist with power restoration efforts.
"Once we asses the damage, we'll start dispatching the crews to do the work," Solis said. "We'll see how that goes."
The following list of outages was provided by AEP spokesman Lauro Solis at 4:30 p.m.
Edinburg: 2,588 customers without power
Harlingen: 33,842 customers without power
McAllen: 5,788 customers without power
Mission: 836 customers without power
PSJA: 5,288 customers without power
Port Isabel: 28,413 customers without power
Rio Grande City: 1 customer without power
San Benito: 6,232 customers without power
Weslaco: 13,094 customers without power
