A new mutual aid agreement between the city of San Marcos and New Braunfels Utilities is now in place following the effects and damage of Winter Storm Mara this past January and February. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning through Feb. 2, which brought freezing rain and ice to San Antonio, Hays County, Austin and other Hill Country cities.

The City Council approved a resolution establishing the agreement April 4, though it has already been in effect since Feb. 1, according to agenda documents.

The San Marcos electrical distribution system sustained damage as tree limbs took down power lines and other infrastructure during the five-day event. In the midst of the storm, NBU assisted the city of San Marcos on Jan. 28 and dispatched crews to the affected areas.

"This agreement is intended to set forth terms and conditions under which one [entity] will render assistance to the other in the event the requesting [entity's] electric system suffers damage or outages due to adverse weather events or natural disasters," the agreement read.

The agreement will be in place until either entity opts out with a 30-day notice.