Central Bexar County was under a flash flood warning as thunderstorms dumped heavy rains on San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service.
Storms that hit Monday afternoon also caused power outages stretching mostly from the Northwest Side to the Northeast Side, along with parts of the Southeast Side. Approximately 34,000 customers were without power as of 5 p.m., according to CPS Energy’s outage map. More than 1,500 customers still were without power after 9 p.m.
“Our crews will work until everyone affected has their power restored,” said Rudy Garza, senior vice president of distribution services and operations, in a prepared statement. “I want our community to know that we have crews that take pride in what they do and their goal right now is to get the lights back on for those impacted.”
Downed trees and flooding slowed crews in their efforts to restore power, CPS Energy officials said.
Weather stations recorded 2 inches of rainfall in parts of the city by shortly before 4 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters predicted an additional 1 to 2 inches by around 6 p.m.
Flooding closed 22 of 178 low water crossings, according to real-time flood information site BexarFlood.org. City staff also closed nine streets because of flooding.
Public safety officials often urge drivers to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” rather than attempt to drive through flooded roads. San Antonio is part of a region known as Flash Flood Alley, and Bexar County has historically led the state in the number of flood deaths.
I think Rudy Garza and the CPS Employees that were out in the thick of it should get the bonuses!