The 2015 Christmas weather forecast predicted a winter storm in the Texas Panhandle starting Saturday, December 26, in the northwest and moving through Amarillo and Lubbock. Electric cooperative crews prepared for inevitable outages and damage, knowing that cold temperatures expected after the weekend would prolong recovery.
Winter weather took its toll on co-op service areas across the United States. From Oklahoma and Texas to Missouri, Tennessee and the upper Midwest, co-ops mobilized crews throughout Christmas week.
In Texas, severe weather began with high winds, heavy rain, flooding and hail, and worsened to include tornadoes and blizzard conditions in western and central portions of the state and Panhandle.
Several co-ops reported substation circuits tripped by high winds and heavy icing. In one case, winds caused icicles to form upside down on utility wires. Co-ops serving North Texas endured blizzards, snow accumulations topping 20 inches and frigid temperatures as repairs continued December 28.
