Strong winds tore through parts of San Antonio on Sunday evening, knocking out electricity for thousands of CPS Energy customers and littering streets with limbs and debris as neighborhoods suddenly went dark.
According to KENS-TV, CPS Energy reported that more than 9,500 customers lost power across more than 50 separate outages in its service area. Crews fielded multiple calls about downed lines while trying to work around the still-gusty conditions.
The National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio had already warned that the front would bring wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph and an elevated fire-weather risk, conditions that can snap trees and complicate line repair, according to the agency’s forecast and hazard statements.
Where outages were concentrated
CPS Energy told KENS-TV that ZIP code 78240 saw the bulk of the downed power lines and reported outages, making the area one of the hardest hit in the city. The utility said it was prioritizing larger outages and locations that are critical to public safety.
Crews and restoration
CPS Energy crews worked through the night and cautioned that stubborn high winds could slow the pace of restoration as safety remains the top concern. Customers can monitor reported outages through CPS Energy and report problems by calling 210-353-HELP (4357), according to CPS Energy.
Safety tips for neighbors
Officials are urging residents to stay away from any downed power lines and to assume all wires are live. Call 911 for immediate dangers and report downed lines to CPS Energy. Those looking for relief or a place to cool off can use City of San Antonio resources or call 311 to find city-run cooling locations, according to the city.
Why the winds matter
Spring cold fronts in South Central Texas often arrive with strong, dry winds that can snap tree limbs and take down utility equipment, triggering scattered outages even when storms are brief. The National Weather Service notes that these gusty events can raise fire danger and complicate restoration work, prompting extra caution from crews and emergency officials.
Authorities are asking residents to be patient while power is restored and to follow guidance from emergency responders. CPS Energy and local officials plan to post additional updates as new information becomes available.
