City spokesperson Kristi Wyatt said many people have lost power multiple times because of downed trees. The city will double the number of tree trimming crew members Monday, as overnight wind and rain is likely to bring more trees and power lines down.
San Marcos has established an email address to report outages. San Marcos utility customers can email [email protected] or call 512.393.8313.
.@CityofSanMarcos warns residents to "be prepared" to be without power for several hours. Crews are on the ground making electrical repairs.
— Marie Albiges (@MarieAlbiges) August 27, 2017
The National Weather Service is calling for an additional half to three-quarters of an inch of rain tonight with wind gusts as high as 25 miles per hour.
In the past 48 hours, the Blanco River near Kyle has recorded 8.68 inches of rain, according to the Lower Colorado River Authority. An additional 3-6 inches of rain are possible in the Austin area through Wednesday.
Updated 6:33 p.m.: Texas State University reports water leaks; classes resume Tuesday
Texas State University has experienced water leaks in several buildings including residence halls, according to spokesperson Matt Flores.
Flores said crews are working to resolve the water leaks as well as clear tree debris around campus. He said there were no reports of flooding as of Sunday evening.
Classes remain canceled Monday and will resume on Tuesday. Residence halls, dining facilities, the Student Recreation Center and the LBJ Student Center will be open Monday.
"The university will make arrangements for students unable to make it safely to our campuses on Tuesday, Aug. 29, because of weather-related conditions," the university posted in a Facebook status update Sunday night.
Updated 4:55 p.m.: Hays, San Marcos CISDs closed Monday
Hays CISD and San Marcos CISD have canceled Monday classes.
All campuses will be closed and all activities will be canceled.
Weather Update: A decision will be made by approximately 5PM today on plans for first day of school. #SanMarcosCISD pic.twitter.com/XTk8h57QtW
— San Marcos CISD (@SanMarcosCISD) August 27, 2017
Updated 1:01 p.m.: PHOTOS: Hays County under flash flood watch
San Marcos, Buda and Kyle continue to be hit with rain as Tropical Storm Harvey stalls.
The National Weather Service says the area is experiencing wind gusts of 35-45 miles per hour, with 4-8 inches of rain expected in the Austin area through Wednesday.
Hays County had several low water crossings closed Sunday, including at Uhland Road and River Road, Old Bastrop Highway at Capistrano Drive and Uhland at Post Road.
Updated 9:48 a.m. Sunday: 500 residents without power in San Marcos
The city of San Marcos is reporting at least 500 homes are without power Sunday morning as the area continues to endure wind and rain from Tropical Storm Harvey.
Pedernales Electric Co. has about a dozen reported power outages currently.
Three people from Houston and one person from San Marcos sought shelter last night in the San Marcos Activity Center, which the city opened at 11:30 p.m. The activity center is now closed for use as a shelter but is open to anyone without power who may need to use the shower facilities.
“The city of San Marcos has been very fortunate so far, but there is the potential for more severe weather later tonight and through mid-week,” San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides said. "This lull in the storm is a good time to restock and make sure you and your family are prepared for the possibility of flooding and extended power outages."
Hays County Emergency Management Coordinator Kharley Smith said there were a few water rescues within the county overnight, but otherwise Saturday was "relatively calm."
A flash flood watch is still in effect for Hays, Guadalupe, Caldwell, Comal and Travis counties.
Early Sunday morning, Caldwell County emergency officials announced Gov. Greg Abbott has pronounced the county a disaster area.
In the past 24 hours, the Lower Colorado River Authority recorded 5.61 inches of rain in the Blanco River near Kyle and 6.62 inches of rain at Onion Creek in Buda.
The National Weather Service is calling for an additional 1-2 inches of rain in the San Marcos area by tonight.
Rainfall totals for the last 24 hours.[/caption]Updated 10:12 p.m. Saturday: San Marcos to open activity center as shelter for residents
The city of San Marcos will open the doors of its activity center starting at 11:30 p.m. for local residents seeking shelter.
“This is a precautionary measure for San Marcos residents who want to voluntarily leave low-lying areas and seek shelter,” San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides said in a news release.
He said the city does not believe there is any immediate danger, but residents should avoid leaving their homes. San Marcos is currently under a flash flood warning.
"Bottom line, if you don’t have to go anywhere, don’t," he said.
The San Marcos Activity Center is located at 501 E. Hopkins St.
Posted 6:14 p.m.: Hays County officials: Intense overnight rainfall could bring more road closures Sunday
Hays County emergency officials warned Saturday afternoon that the worst may still come as Hurricane Harvey brings heavy rain to the area.
"Although we have seen few road closures today, it is expected to change overnight," the Hays County Office of Emergency Management posted Saturday on Facebook.
As of around 5 p.m. Saturday, www.atxfloods.com reported at least 11 road closures in the county, including along the I-35 corridor. In San Marcos, Old Bastrop Highway at Cotttonwood Creek has been closed.
"There is concern that people may think the worst is over and venture out tonight and tomorrow. It is much safer to avoid travel at this time," officials stated.
Roads were also being monitored for downed power lines, trees and traffic lines Saturday.
TRAFFIC ALERT: The traffic light at 967 and 1626 is on the ground. TxDOT has been notified. #budatx #Harvey
— City of Buda, TX (@CityofBudaTX) August 26, 2017
By Saturday afternoon, the Lower Colorado River Authority recorded 3.74 inches of rain in the Blanco River near Kyle since midnight Friday, and more than 5 inches of rain had fallen in other parts of Central Texas.
The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning for Hays County and the city of San Marcos through Wednesday night.
NWS reported the rain is unlikely to stop before Wednesday night and the area east of I-35 could see as much as 20 inches by the middle of the week.
San Marcos is also still under a tropical storm warning, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour predicted.
Area residents and local officials captured some of the day's rainfall and issued warnings in San Marcos, Buda and Kyle:
San Marcos River running fast and full at Rio Vista Park. Heavy rains could cause real problems.#SMTXHarvey #smtx #txst
Sat 8/26/17 4:45pm pic.twitter.com/o3EolLZhvF
— Todd Salmi (@toddsalmi) August 26, 2017
Viewpoint from @RiverOaksVillas right now as #harvey hits as a tropical storm in #SMTX #sanmarcos #texas #rain #nature pic.twitter.com/wOoXOXbx7B
— Enes Akbuga (@enesakbuga) August 26, 2017
Thanks to the great @CityofSanMarcos crew for taking out this fallen tree before it blocks the culvert and floods our neighbors downhill. XO pic.twitter.com/57BVoqNZlA
— Anne Halsey (@anne_halsey) August 26, 2017
