AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Update 11:30a
FULL UPDATE HERE
Update 5:00a
Xcel Energy is reporting 2,500 people without power in the Amarillo area.
The power company said it mobilized additional help from its New Mexico and South Plains districts.
Power is expected to be restored to everyone by 5 p.m., but some customers will not have power restored until their facilities are prepared and inspected by the City of Amarillo, Xcel said.
Another update is expected from Xcel at 9 a.m.
Severe storms rolling through Amarillo and much of the central Panhandle have caused street flooding and power outages.
Storm Search 7 is reporting extremely high wind gusts in Amarillo along with the potential for heavy street flooding.
Amarillo residents are discouraged from traveling, especially under bridges and overpasses.
Police are discouraging travel at the following intersections because of flooding: IH40 and Paramount, IH40 and Western, IH40 and Bell, Coulter and Wolflin, IH40 and Avondale. Police said the underpasses near 10th and S. Grant and 27th east of IH27 are also flooded.
Additionally, water is being reported on the roads near Medi-Park.
Branches knocked down by the wind are also posing a threat to motorists.
Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.
Power outages occured downtown and Wes Reeves of Xcel Energy confirmed 10 poles were knocked down north of Channing. Xcel Energy said parts of Amarillo are also reporting power blinks.
Reeves said about 8,500 customers are without power in the Amarillo-Channing area.
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