Severe storms that swept across the San Antonio area on Friday night have left thousands of residents without electricity, with utility officials warning that power outages could last for several days. According to CPS Energy, about 63,000 customers were impacted across roughly 653 outages as of Saturday afternoon, down from a peak of 112,000 customers at the height of the storm.
Severe Storms Leave Thousands Without Power in San Antonio
CPS Energy Interim President and CEO Frank Almaraz warned that full restoration will take time due to extensive infrastructure damage. We have down lines, broken poles and fallen trees,
Almaraz said. City and utility leaders noted during a Saturday afternoon news conference that power could remain out through the weekend and into early next week. The utility reported having 250 wire down orders and advised affected customers to implement emergency backup plans or seek alternative shelter.
The storm also brought the heaviest recorded rainfall for the month of August, with totals seeing between 1 and 3 inches in spots across the city.
City and Utility Crews Mobilize for Debris Removal and Relief
City crews and repair teams have been working continuously to clear hazards, remove downed trees, and clear blocked public rights-of-way so that emergency vehicles can navigate neighborhoods safely. Residents were encouraged to report non-emergency tree damage, blocked streets, or debris by contacting 311. Additionally, the city’s Brush Collection Center at 1800 Wurzbach Parkway scheduled extended hours to open Sunday, August 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To help residents cope with the heat, the city mobilized daytime places to stay cool, including community centers and libraries. While three city library locations serving as cooling centers—Bazan, Las Palmas, and San Pedro—lost power and were forced to close, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones confirmed that all other city libraries and park centers would operate during normal hours over the weekend. Other designated cooling and resilience locations include:
* Copernicus Community Center (5003 Lord Road) * Garza Community Center (1450 Mira Vista) * Miller’s Pond Community Center (6175 Old Pearsall Road) * Normoyle Community Center (700 Culberson) * Northeast Senior Center (4135 Thousand Oaks) * Southside Lions Senior Center (3303 Pecan Valley Drive)
Overnight lows were forecasted to fall only into the upper 70s before temperatures climb to around 98 degrees on Sunday, with heat index values reaching as high as 101. CPS Energy’s Customer Response Unit was deployed to assist customers in heavily impacted areas, and residents were urged to check on older adults and vulnerable neighbors.
Businesses, Schools, and Attractions Announce Closures
Widespread outages and property damage forced numerous businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues, and educational institutions across San Antonio to close their doors on Saturday. San Antonio College canceled all Saturday classes and activities after suffering power outages across several buildings along San Pedro Avenue.
Major local attractions also shut down temporarily. Morgan’s Wonderland in Northeast San Antonio announced it would be closed Saturday due to the storm, while the Witte Museum closed for the day to make minor repairs from recent inclement weather. Santikos Entertainment closed its Galaxy theater on the Northeast Side while crews worked to restore power in the building.
Numerous restaurants across the city reported significant impacts. The Cove in the Five Points area announced it would remain closed until further notice after Friday night’s storms flooded its dining room, blew away signs, and ripped out patio fencing. Other local dining spots reporting closures due to power outages included M.K. Davis Restaurant & Bar, Chris Madrid’s, Pico de Gallo, Fat Tummy Empanadas, and Panifico Bake Shop.
Financial institutions and historic properties were also affected. RBFCU closed its Austin Highway and Windcrest branches for member and employee safety, directing customers to online banking and mobile apps. On the West Side, tenants at a historic building on North Zarzamora Street found themselves locked out because electric gates would not open without power.
