While the state electric grid has remained stable through Texas’ winter storm this week, about 159 CPS Energy customers were still being affected by 18 outages around Bexar County as of noon Friday.
CPS Energy crews worked Thursday night into early Friday morning to restore power to customers impacted by the weather, which included high winds and ice, the City of San Antonio said in a statement Friday.
Outages Friday morning were mostly in the Elm Creek and Luckey Ranch neighborhoods on the North Side and far West Side respectively, but CPS Energy spokeswoman Christine Patmon said power to those homes had been restored by noon Friday.
With overnight low temperatures set to remain below freezing through Sunday, San Antonio residents are still being cautioned to drive slowly and carefully if they have to go somewhere. All major highways were open to traffic Friday, except the flyover ramps at U.S. Highway 281 and Loop 1604.
However, an incident involving a big-rig truck snarled traffic on Interstate 10 in the Hill Country near Kerrville for hours Friday as the Texas Department of Transportation worked to clear the icy roadway. Motorists were being told to avoid the area.
TxDOT crews continued to monitor and treat highways for ice accumulation throughout Friday evening, according to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio’s four warming centers closed at noon Friday, but the city’s Homeless Connections Hotline remained open through 6 p.m. Friday to help connect homeless individuals to resources and assistance through the cold weather. The Homeless Connections Hotline number is 210-207-1799.
Bexar County’s six warming sites were scheduled to operate through Saturday at noon or until conditions improve. The sites will enforce COVID-19 safety protocols, including physical distancing and strongly encouraging people to wear a face mask. Those warming centers are located at the following addresses:
- ESD 2 – 2096 Talley Rd., San Antonio, TX 78251
- ESD 3 – 23103 Bulverde Rd., San Antonio, TX 78260
- ESD 8 – 20825 Babcock Rd., San Antonio, TX 78255
- China Grove Fire Station – 2456 FM 1516 S, China Grove, TX 78263
- Leon Valley Conference Center – 6427 Evers Rd., San Antonio, TX 78238
- Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office – 9810 Southton Rd., San Antonio, TX 78223
In response to the cold snap, the San Antonio Food Bank offered extra services Friday and Saturday. Those needing immediate food, households supplies, or pet food are asked to call the Food Bank helpline at 210-431-8326 or visit www.safoodbank.org/help/. The Food Bank also needs extra volunteers to meet the expected spike in need. Volunteers may sign up for a volunteer shift at safoodbank.org/ways-to-help/give-time/.
