Thunderstorms raced across South-Central Texas on Tuesday evening, lighting up the sky with frequent lightning and kicking up gusty winds that showed up clearly on radar and local TV. Video from the fast-moving line of storms captured bright flashes and several downed power lines, sending crews out after dark to check damage and restore service. Forecasters warned the band could bring brief torrential downpours and damaging wind gusts as it pushed east.
Radar imagery and raw video shared by local station KENS-TV (KENS5) showed storms firing over the Hill Country and sliding into San Antonio, with the station pointing out both intense lightning and fallen lines. The clip highlighted high lightning frequency on radar and strong returns dropping southeast late Tuesday. KENS-TV coverage noted that crews were responding to multiple reports of downed lines, though an overall outage count was not yet available when the report aired.
Storm Track And Warnings
The National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio issued severe thunderstorm warnings and special weather statements for parts of the region as the line moved through. According to NWS Austin/San Antonio, radar scans showed the strongest cells lining up from the Hill Country into eastern Bexar County Tuesday night. Local meteorologists also flagged the risk of isolated large hail and pockets of flash flooding within the heavier rain bands, as reported by MySA.
Power Crews And Outages
Utilities typically move quickly after storms to clear debris and repair damaged lines, and CPS Energy urges residents to steer clear of any wires on the ground. In past responses, the utility has asked customers to report downed lines and use its outage map for updates; CPS Energy reminds everyone not to assume a fallen line is dead and to call 210-353-4357 (HELP) to report hazards. Crews prioritize safety as they restore power, tackling downed lines and outages affecting critical services first.
How To Stay Safe
If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck, so the National Weather Service advises heading indoors and waiting 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before going back outside. The National Weather Service also warns against sheltering under isolated trees or staying in open areas during a storm. Keep an eye on local radar and official utility updates, and avoid driving through flooded roads or near any downed wires until crews have cleared them as safe.
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