Severe weather impacts San Marcos, city working on outdoor siren system
The Brief
Power outages in San Marcos due to severe weather
Outdoor warning sirens went off during the storms on Monday
SAN MARCOS, Texas - Severe weather this week brought power outages and had outdoor warning sirens going off in San Marcos.
While the rain was a welcome sight, it was not enough to get out of the drought.
What we know
Early Wednesday morning, power outages impacted about 4,500 SMTX Utility meters. They were likely caused by wind and lightning.
Families in the Spring Lake Hills area were among those affected by the storm.
"It was pretty great, and I say that because we need the rain," resident Mollie Binion said. "I think we all woke up about 6am from the thunder and power going out."
"A loud boom startled me, for a moment I thought it was a bomb," Grayson Armstrong, 11, who also lives in the neighborhood, said. "A few seconds after the flash, it was just darkness, I looked at the clock, it wasn't on, so was the audio disc player... I was like, the power's out."
The power was restored about two hours later.
"Before the sun came up we were looking for flashlights and candles so that was a good reminder to have that stuff prepared," Binion said.
Dig deeper
With a week of severe weather, during Monday's storms, outdoor warning sirens went off.
Some residents thought it was a tornado warning, but the city clarified it was a flash flood warning.
"Understanding the difference between maybe tornado warnings and flood warnings was pretty cool, one, that we have that system, and two, kind of experiencing it in real time," Binion said. "To kind of help the kids understand and not be scared we went over it with them as well."
According to the city:
Tornado warning: single pitch that is a long and steady tone and lasts for three minutes
Wildland fire: alternates between high and low tones lasting for three minutes
Public safety threat: wave-like pitch that will change in tone every 16 seconds for a total of three minutes. These threats could include flooding, hazardous materials spills, or other emergencies.
The city says that was the first time the sirens have been used since going through extensive repairs last summer.
"We understand that the activation caused some confusion, as the sirens are generally associated with tornado warnings. Our Emergency Management team is currently reviewing internal protocols to determine the most appropriate and consistent use of the sirens moving forward," the city said in a statement.
The city says the sirens weren't activated during a flash flood warning early Wednesday morning because an automatic alert was temporarily turned off during the evaluation period. It has since been re-enabled as they work on finalizing guidance.
The Source
Information in this report comes from reporting/interviews by FOX 7 Austin's Angela Shen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
9 minutes ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: 8 States May See Aurora Borealis Monday
Geomagnetic storm conditions are possible Monday after a recent coronal mass ejection, potentially bringing the northern lights to several states in the northern U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Some geomagnetic storm conditions are expected after a coronal mass ejection that left the sun last ... More week, forecasters said. NOAA forecast auroral activity with a Kp index of three on a scale of nine for Monday night, suggesting the aurora borealis may be visible farther from the poles and be 'quite pleasing to look at' for those in the right areas. NOAA noted the Kp index may be upgraded to just over four, signaling higher confidence of the northern lights being seen in parts of Maine and South Dakota, saying a 'minor' geomagnetic storm is possible Monday because of the lingering effects of a coronal mass ejection that left the sun on June 6. Similar auroral activity is expected Tuesday and Wednesday, with a maximum Kp index of three and four forecast for either day, respectively, according to NOAA's three-day projections. Parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, Upper Michigan and northern Wisconsin have a low, but potential, chance of seeing the northern lights. Most of Canada and Alaska have a higher likelihood of viewing the phenomenon. (See map below.) Monday's view line. NOAA recommends traveling to an unobstructed, north-facing and high vantage point away from light pollution to see the northern lights, which the agency said are best seen between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Photography experts told National Geographic it's best to use a tripod to stabilize the image, while also using a wide-angle lens, an aperture or F-stop of four or less and a focus set to the furthest possible setting. With a smartphone, NASA recommends enabling night mode, disabling flash and opting for a slower shutter speed, if possible. An increase in solar events like coronal mass ejections and solar flares will likely persist into early 2026, according to NASA's projections. This rise coincides with activity on the sun's surface achieving a 'solar maximum' in October 2024, which occurs over the sun's 11-year cycle that includes a 'solar minimum' and a decline in solar events. Geomagnetic storm events ramped up in intensity last year, after one of the strongest storms in 20 years disrupted Earth's magnetic field and led to the northern lights being spotted in all 50 states.
Bloomberg
17 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Millions of Eggs Recalled After Dozens Sickened With Salmonella
The US Food and Drug Administration said more than 20 million eggs have been recalled after 21 people were hospitalized with salmonella. The eggs, distributed by the August Egg Company, were sold to retailers including Walmart Inc. and Safeway Stores Inc. between February 3 and May 19. The sell-by dates ranged from March 4 to June 19, the FDA said with its full list of brands involved.
CBS News
21 minutes ago
- CBS News
Asian needle ants with a potentially fatal sting have spread across multiple states. Here's what to know.
The Joro spider, Asian long-horned beetle and spotted lanternfly have company this summer. A "sneaky" invasive species that has a potentially deadly sting continues to spread across the U.S. and can be found in more than a dozen states, according to experts. Asian needle ants were first detected in the U.S. almost a century ago, but the species has continued to expand its reach, primarily throughout the Southeast, and this pest could potentially be deadly to humans, according to Dan Suiter, a professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia. "It injects venom that can harm you. Its sting can be life threatening," Suiter recently told the university. Suiter added that people who have adverse reactions to bee and ant stings are especially vulnerable and could go into anaphylactic shock from the needle ant's sting. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within seconds of being exposed to something you're allergic to, such as a sting, according to the Mayo Clinic. "If you suffer from anaphylaxis, you should really know what this ant looks like," Suiter says. "And it might be smart to carry an EpiPen." Suiter urged people to be vigilant for these invasive species, especially with ant populations peaking later this summer. What are Asian needle ants? Asian needle ants are technically known as Brachyponera chinensis – roughly translated as "short, wicked ant from China" – but their native range also includes Japan and the Koreas, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The insect was first discovered in the U.S. in 1932 in Georgia, but has only recently started to "cause problems in North America after being relatively unnoticed for many years," the U.S. Forest Service says. Asian needle ants were first detected in the U.S. almost a century ago, but the invasive species has continued to spread, experts say. U.S. Department of Agriculture The pest has now been detected all the way from Washington state to Florida, according to the site as well as Mississippi State University, and the ant is recently getting more attention in Texas. Suiter says Asian needle ants are "sneaky" because they are less than a quarter of an inch long and are adept at hiding. "Unlike many invasive species that tend to colonize areas in the wake of natural or human disturbance, Asian needle ants are capable of invading undisturbed forest areas where they nest under and within logs and other debris, under stones, and in leaf litter," the U.S. Forest Service says. Environmental impacts According to Suiter, Asian needle ants wreak havoc in native environments. "They outcompete other ant species that are important to the ecology of that area," he says. Asian needle ants prey on other insects and are capable of displacing ant species that are critical for seed dispersal, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Researchers have documented large decreases in seed dispersal in forests where Asian needle ants are present. "Thus, this invasive species could have dramatic, long-term negative effects on forest understory," the service says. What should people do if they see Asian needle ants? Asian needle ants are about 0.2 inches in length, and dark brown or black with the end of the antennae and the legs being a lighter orange-brown, the U.S. Forest Service says. Other ant species can look similar, "so it takes an experienced eye to positively identify them," the service says. Suiter says that you can send a photograph or a specimen to a local University of Georgia Extension office, which can help with identification. The public can also contact a professional to come out and bait for the ants, he says. The U.S. Forest Service advises people to avoid the pest and to be especially vigilant in areas with logs and rotting or rocks were the ants can nest. "Unfortunately, as with many invasive species, it appears Asian needle ants are here to stay," the service says.
