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Some 13,500 homes and businesses across the Rio Grande Valley are starting the New Year without electricity.

The cold front and wet weather wreaked havoc on the power poles on New Year’s Day.

According to AEP Texas, the following numbers of homes and businesses were without power around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday:

Cameron             1,934
Starr                      1,362
Hidalgo                10,216

Officials believe that dust accumulated in the power poles due to recent dry conditions.

The moisture from wet weather and the cold front reacted with the dust creating short circuits and other problems.

Crews are working to restore power throughout the Valley.