COMAL COUNTY, Texas — Parts of Comal County are grappling with damage and power outages following overnight storms.
Crews have been tirelessly working to restore service along Highway 281 and FM 306, where strong winds toppled trees and utility poles. At least five power poles were knocked down by high winds, and possibly a brief tornado.
April Milner, owner of Lone Star Spirits, reported that the 7-Eleven and gas station next door are both closed due to the outage.
“It affects us because we don’t have the power to do the credit cards for everybody, because not everybody carries cash anymore,” Milner said. “Our checks and the 7-Eleven us out of power, so they can’t use the ATM at Fishers because there’s no electricity and no gas because there’s no electricity.”
Milner says the outage is forcing them to close early- a tough hit on one of their busiest days of the week.
“They got to get that pole set and then run lines across from there to over here to get us.”
Anthony Barnes witnessed power lines crashing down just feet away.
“There was brush all over the road, I couldn’t see anything, I was driving 30 mph, it was a blackout, it was so bad,” Barnes said.
Although unharmed, he says in that moment, fear took over.
“It was scary, I was driving 30 mph, few people were driving and had their flashers on, and it was bad, I don’t know how much wind, but blowing that one ton truck it had to be pretty serious.”
Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) said the intersection at Highway 281 and FM 306 was hit hardest, leaving hundreds without electricity. Across the road, Fischer’s Neighborhood Market employees said their power never went out, but safety concerns forced them and the Whataburger next door to close.
Despite the frustration and inconvenience, the good news is crews are working to restore power by the end of the night.