Latest News

Updated: 4:00 p.m. 5/31/2024

Meals for Those Who Have Been Impacted
Edit 2:45 p.m.- The food available for lunch has run out. Dinner service will begin at 4 p.m.

Operation BBQ Relief will be at Network of Community Ministries, 1500 International Parkway, today to provide lunch and dinner to first responders and those who have been impacted by the storm. Lunch will be served beginning at noon and dinner will be served beginning at 4 p.m., and food will be available until it runs out.

Anyone interested in volunteering can register at www.obr.org.

Impact to Pool Schedule
The Terrace and Canyon Creek pools will be open on Monday, June 3. due to losing power after the May 28 storm. Heights Family Aquatic Center, along with Cottonwood and Glenville pools, will open as scheduled on June 1.

Opening information will be available as soon as possible at www.cor.net/Aquatics.

Mayor Signs Declaration of a Local State of Disaster
Richardson Mayor Bob Dubey signed a declaration of Local State of Disaster on Wednesday, May 29, due to damage sustained from a region-wide storm system that caused widespread destruction in Richardson and North Texas early Tuesday morning, May 28. The local disaster declaration will help the community better respond to recovery needs, including creating a process to clean up the significant debris left behind by the storm.

Storm Debris Collection Plan:

Following the major storm event on May 28th, the City of Richardson is working diligently to clear debris and restore normal services. Collection Crews appreciates your patience and cooperation as we work to restore normalcy after this storm. We’ll continue to provide updates as they become available.

Here’s a breakdown of the recovery process:

 Phase I: Clearing a Path (Up to 72 Hours):

  • Our top priority is ensuring all roads are passable.
  • City crews are cutting debris blocking streets, hospitals, and critical facilities.
  • Downed trees and vegetation will be moved to the curb for later removal.
  • Help Us! Report blocked streets and alleys by calling 24/7 at 972-744-4111 or emailing AskRichardsonPublicServices@cor.gov. We’ve already received over 300 calls, and crews are working hard to clear them as quickly and safely as possible.

Phase II: Curb-to-Curb Cleanup (Throughout the Weekend)

  • Once a lane is cleared on all roads, crews will begin removing debris from curb to curb.
  • Residents can help by placing storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way (between the street and sidewalk).
  • Separate Debris Piles:
    • Vegetative debris (limbs, shrubbery)
    • Construction and demolition debris
  • Important Notes:
    • Bagged debris will not be collected.
    • Do not place debris near utility boxes or hydrants.
    • Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) is suspended for storm debris. Normal BABIC collection will resume later.

Phase III: Neighborhood Debris Removal (Starting June 3rd)

  • City-contracted crews will begin collecting debris on Monday, June 3rd.
  • This includes only storm-related debris placed on the public right-of-way near the curb, not in alleys.
  • No commercial debris or hazardous waste will be collected.
  • Removal is expected to take 4-6 weeks.
  • Debris collection schedules will be posted on the City website (www.cor.net) and social media.

Trash & Recycling Progress:

Trash and recycling collection is taking place, but customers can expect delays in service as recovery efforts continue from Tuesday’s severe storm damage.

If your alley is blocked, collection teams will make every effort to collect from any accessible direction. If you notice your material still has not been picked up, please leave it out and teams will be working this weekend to try to pick up all bags as soon as possible.

Food Waste Drop-off

Residents who need to dispose of spoiled food due to lost power from the recent storms can do so at the North Texas Municipal Water District’s Lookout Drive Transfer Station, 1601 E. Lookout Dr., in Richardson.

Residents will need to show a city-issued utility bill that reflects solid waste services to drop off food waste. The facility is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Power Restoration & Service Line Damage Progress:

Richardson is still experiencing outages after Tuesday morning’s storm. As of Friday morning, 10% of customers are without power. 

Oncor has teams from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Virginia assisting to restore power to affected customers in the DFW area. 

The energy delivery company is expecting power restoration to be substantially complete by Friday evening, weather permitting. Customers in harder hit areas can expect to have power Saturday. 

To report a power outage or check the status, text OUT to 66267, use the MyOncor app, click “Report an Outage” on the map, or call 888-313-4747.

If you see a downed power line, please stay away, keep pets and others away and call 911 immediately.

Service Line Damage:

Many residents have been asking about who handles repairs after storm damage affects their power lines. This information is especially important for those who lost power due to a fallen tree or debris disconnecting the service line between their home and the power pole in the alley.

We visited Oncor’s website to get accurate information.

Homeowner’s Responsibility: Any tree or debris that lands on a service line is the homeowner’s responsibility to clear. If there is concern that the line is still energized, the property owner needs to call Oncor to check. Once Oncor ensures the line is safe, the property owner can have the tree or debris removed. Oncor will then return to replace the service line.

Oncor’s Responsibility: Oncor is responsible for repairing power poles, service lines, transformers, and electric meters.

Homeowners need to address repairs to weatherheads, electrical wiring, and meter bases. These repairs require a licensed, bonded, and insured electrician, as well as an inspection before power can be restored.

Permit fees for all storm-related repairs will be waived by the City.

This graphic shows the areas of responsibility by the homeowner and Oncor.

Power Line Damage - Picture

Oncor has more information at After The Storm: What You Need To Know (oncor.com).

Disaster Recovery Center & Cooling/Charging Stations:

Richardson is working with the Network of Community Ministries in providing a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) / local Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to help with coordinating relief efforts after Tuesday’s storm. The DRC/MARC at Network is providing essential services to people including food and clothing. It will also be connecting people with financial or volunteer assistance to support their recovery.

Community members needing to replace grocery items can also visit Network for help.

Disaster Recovery Center/ Multi-Agency Resource Center –

Network of Community Ministries
1500 International Parkway, Suite 300
Phone: 972-662-8554

Temporary Hours:
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday:9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Food Market Temporary Hours:
Friday: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Insurance Assistance:
DRC/MARC services include help for those needing to submit damage claims to their insurance company. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is on-site to assist with filing claims. TDI also offers online resources for filing claims, tips to avoid scams and fraud, and additional recovery assistance.

Helpful Links and Documents:
Texas Department of Insurance website: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/
Recovery Tips: 
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/recoverytips.html

Steps to Getting your Insurance Claim Paid
Insurance Issues After a Disaster
Avoid Scams

Consumer Helpline
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
800-252-3439

Cooling and Charging Stations

If you’re one of those still without power, several locations can help you stay cool and charge your devices:

  • Richardson Police Department: Open 24/7 (200 N. Greenville Ave.)
  • Richardson Public Library: Open during regular hours (2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500)
  • Recreation Centers: Open during regular hours
    • Heights Recreation Center (711 W. Arapaho Rd.)
    • Huffhines Recreation Center (200 N. Plano Rd.)
  • Richardson Senior Center: Open during regular hours (820 W. Arapaho Rd.)

Generator Safety Reminder:
If you’re using a generator for temporary power, remember to operate it outside only in a well-ventilated area. Never run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space like a garage.

Report Storm Damage:

Emergency officials urge everyone to report storm damage, even minor issues. This information is crucial for assessing the full extent of the damage in Richardson and the surrounding area. You can report damage online through the Texas Department of Emergency Management: Texas Department of Emergency Management Storm Damage Form. 

Additional Information:

Emergency crews are working diligently to assess and repair storm damage. Be patient, as cleanup may take several weeks due to the severity of the storm.