August 24th, 2011
Substation outages knock out power in parts of San Marcos

STAFF REPORT

Two San Marcos electric substations were knocked out simultaneously at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, leaving parts of the city without electricity for about an hour and a half.

San Marcos electric utility crews worked past midnight to restore power. Police managed traffic at key intersections shortly after the outage. City officials said a lightning arrestor malfunctioned at the San Marcos Substation on River Road, east of Interstate 35. Officials said the malfunctioning arrestor nearly simultaneously tripped the Hilltop Substation located at the end of Ramsey Street near North LBJ Drive.

Neighborhoods and areas east of Interstate 35 were affected, including the Wallace Addition, River Road, Highway 80, and North Interstate 35, west of Interstate 35 at Holland Hills, Spring Lake Hills, Alamo, Aquarena Springs, parts of Post Road, Thorpe Lane, the City Hall area, and Rio Vista Terrace.

All power was restored by 12:15 a.m., said Kyle Dicke, assistant director of Public Services-Electric Utility.

Officials said they are investigating the cause of the outages and will monitor the system closely Wednesday.

Due to expected continued high temperatures Wednesday, officials have asked residents to conserve electricity, especially during the peak hours of 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.