DALLAS — It is day two, and many are still without power in the Dallas-Forth Worth area after Tuesday’s storms.
“This is unfair because we pay salaries downtown just like everybody else does,” said Willie Mae Coleman, a South Dallas resident.
Coleman said when the power goes out in her area, they are among the last to be restored. “If you send everybody north and just leave us in the south, sitting until you get the north cleaned up and moveable, then come to us, that’s not right,” said Coleman.
She said this time was a little different. WFAA spent Tuesday with residents on Cleveland Street in South Dallas. On Wednesday, they were still without power.
Oncor said they have restored power to more than 400,000 customers, including those in the Bertrand neighborhood. “We appreciate every time you light a fire under somebody. Finally, they remember that we are over here,” said Coleman.
However, the South Dallas residents never forget each other. Aunt Bette's Community Pantry has been giving food to those needing to restock and those without power in need of emergency food.
“It just shows you that no matter what happens -- rain, sleet or snow, the need is still there,” said Kelvin Browning, Aunt Bette's Community Pantry Director.
Then, there were neighbors helping neighbors such Adrian Patterson. He stayed with a nearby friend when he lost power. When their power came on, he helped that friend get food from the pantry. “I was coming with a friend actually to help him out,” said Patterson. “It’s important to have neighbors to look out.”
“That’s what we do. We help each other. I always let everybody know that I’m going to help them regardless of if I can, and I don’t have much. I’m old,” said Coleman. Still, she and her community have been using a different kind of power. That is -- the power of community.