Overnight Storms Keep Emergency Crews Across the Area on High Alert
- Rita Shipp
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
A powerful overnight storm system left its mark across the area, triggering multiple emergency calls, blocking roads, and keeping volunteer fire departments and city crews busy well into the early morning hours. While damage assessments are still ongoing, responders from Newton, Lake Rayburn, Tri Community, East End, Kirbyville, and Roganville were all actively dispatched to storm-related incidents overnight.
In Newton, the first call came in at 2:21 a.m. with a report of a tree falling onto a home on Smith Street. Four individuals were reported inside, but thankfully all evacuated safely before Newton Fire arrived.
At 2:41 a.m., crews responded to a single-vehicle accident on FM 1012, where a truck hit a fallen tree. One individual was taken to the hospital by private vehicle.
Crews were later called to Shady Acres Road, where a tree collapsed onto power lines near the entrance. Newton Fire and Brant Wills with the City of Newton worked together to safely remove the hazard.
Additional calls came in for Weiss Street and King Chapel Road, where trees had blocked parts of the roadway.
Area VFDs Kept Busy Throughout the Night
2:13 a.m. – Lake Rayburn VFD responded to a one-vehicle accident near 5120 FM 1007, where a car struck a tree.
2:15 a.m. – Tri Community VFD was dispatched to 499 FM 1005 for another vehicle/tree collision. The tree blocked the roadway, and the driver was transported by personal vehicle to a hospital. The extent of injuries is unknown.
2:30 a.m. – East End VFD responded to RR 255 East near County Road 231 for multiple fallen trees across the road.
2:40 a.m. – Kirbyville VFD was called to US 96 at Weavers for a tree across the southbound lanes.
5:12 a.m. – Tri Community VFD was dispatched again to FM 1005 near County Road 317, where a tree was blocking one lane.
6:11 a.m. – Roganville VFD responded to County Road 425 and Private Road 8045 for a tree on a power line that was on fire. They were later cancelled after the fire self-extinguished and the caller updated emergency dispatch.
As of Tuesday morning, emergency crews continue to monitor storm-related damage across the region. Residents are urged to use caution when traveling, avoid areas with visible damage or debris, and report any downed power lines or road blockages to local authorities.
To share your storm photos or community updates, email us at: BD@EastTexasBanner.com
Photos Courtesy of Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department
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