Flood watch remains as CPS Energy continues power restoration efforts in San Antonio

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Update at 1 p.m.: The National Weather Service said the moderate rains that contributed to the heavy rains in San Antonio over night and into the morning are gradually diminishing and may dry up through the day, but noted there is the possibility that storms could redevelop around the area later in the afternoon with more locally heavy rain possible in limited areas. 

According to the CPS Energy outage map, at the time of writing there are 224 active outages affected 2,181 customers. The utility said that there was more than 30 reports of downed power lines due to more than 6,900 lightning strikes and strong wind gusts from the overnight severe storms. Nearly 1,900 customers were and are being impacted by the outages. 

Downed power lines can be reported at 210-353-4357.


Update at 10:30 a.m.: The National Weather Service said that a wake low may be developing in the area, which could cause wind gusts of 30 to 45 mile per hours in eastern Bexar County and in portions of Guadalupe and Comal counties in the next hour or two. Wind gusts of 43 miles per hour reported at Randolph recently, the NWS said. 

Bexar County is also under a flood advisory until 11 a.m. By 9:11 a.m. between one and three inches of rain has fallen in the area, which is causing urban and small stream flooding, the NWS says. The advisory reports some locations will experience flooding, including  San Antonio, Schertz, Cibolo, Universal City, Live Oak,     Selma, San Antonio Int Airport, Stinson Municipal Airport, Randolph AFB, Leon Valley, Helotes, Fair Oaks Ranch, Kirby, Alamo Heights, Windcrest, Terrell Hills, Bulverde, Shavano Park, Hollywood Park and Cross Mountain.

A wake low is an area of lower pressure that develops behind the a complex of thunderstorms, according to the American Meteorological Society.

CPS Energy continues to work on restoring power to areas of San Antonio affected by the overnight and morning storms in Bexar County. At the time of writing, the utility reports 255 active outages affecting 6,480 customers. 


Update at 9:45 a.m.: CPS Energy provided an update on power restoration efforts as a flood watch remains in effect in Bexar County and surrounding areas.

The utility said that 6,900 lightning strikes were recorded overnight, causing pole fires and downed power lines, and crews worked through the night and are continuing to do so to restore power. CPS Energy said that response time may be delayed to ensure the safety of response crews due to the flood watch and additional storms moving into the area. 

At the time of writing, the CPS Energy outage map reports 259 active outages affecting 5,150 customers in the  78210, 78223, 78238, and 78248 zip codes.

Downed power lines can be reported to CPS Energy by phone at 210-353-4357. 


Original article: CPS Energy is working to restore power to more than 7,000 customers around San Antonio as a flood advisory expires at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 13. A flood watch remains in effect for Bexar County and surrounding areas through the evening including San Marcos, New Braunfels, Seguin, Boerne, and more, according to the National Weather Service.

At 1:50 a.m., CPS Energy shared on social media that crews were working to resolve outages affecting 12,000 customers caused by the storms that rolled in through the early morning, with most of the overnight outages hitting the 78216, 78230, 78238, 78250, 78151 & 78252 zip codes. The CPS Energy outage map showed that number dropped to 230 outages affecting 7,561 customers at 8 a.m. 

A flood watch is currently in effect until 8 p.m., but the NWS says the watch may be extended as periods of heavy rain continue as a slow moving storm system hangs over the area. The notice says the threat of showers and thunderstorms will continue through Sunday, May 14, and through much of next week with the possibility of more widespread heavy rain. A slight risk of excessive rainfall is also possible on Sunday and Monday, with marginal chances for excessive precipitation on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Heavy rainfall always brings a risk of possible flash flooding, as excessive runoff may result in the flooding of rivers, creeks, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, the NWS says.