CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (September 22, 2020) – AEP Texas is bringing in additional personnel to help restore power in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beta where needed. This is in addition to the resources already assigned to the Victoria area. Crews arrived in Victoria early Monday.

At 6 a.m. Tuesday, approximately 730 customers are without power throughout Victoria, El Campo, Port Lavaca and the surrounding areas after Tropical Storm Beta made landfall Monday night.

"Tropical Storm Beta brought heavy rains and flooding to the Texas Gulf Coast which we expect to last for the next few days," said Jeff Stracener, AEP Texas vice president of Distribution Region Operations. "Our crews will work as safely and as quickly as possible to get the lights back on; however, we do ask customers to remain patient as we work to restore service to those impacted by the storm.” 

Safety

• Crews can safely operate a utility bucket and begin restoration activities if winds are below 35 mph.

• All power lines should be considered energized and dangerous. Do not touch anything in contact with the line, such as trees, fences or standing water. Please keep children and pets inside during and after the storm. Report downed power lines by calling (866) 223-8508.

• All AEP Texas crews are following strict COVID-19 safety guidelines, which include wearing a mask and practicing physical and social distancing.

• Customers should not approach crews for any reason, especially due to enhanced COVID-19 safety guidelines.

To view the outage map or for more information visit us on the web at aeptexas.com or on social media via Facebook and Twitter.

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AEP Texas serves over one million consumers in the deregulated retail electric marketplace in south and AEP Texas serves over one million electric meters in the deregulated Texas retail electric marketplace. As an energy delivery (wires) company, AEP Texas delivers electricity safely and reliably to homes, businesses and industry across its nearly 100,000 square mile service territory in south and west Texas. AEP Texas also builds new power lines, restores service following outages and reads the meters via advanced meter technology for retail electric providers (REPs) throughout its service territory. The company also connects or disconnects service upon the orders of the REPs. Connect with AEP Texas at AEPTexas.com, on Facebook and on Twitter @aeptexas.