Safety and Preparedness

Prepare Now

Be prepared for inclement weather before it happens with an emergency kit. Include the following items in your kit, and keep it stocked, up to date, and in a designated spot that is easily accessible.

Water (for drinking and sanitation, one gallon per person per day for several days is recommended)
Non-perishable food
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Bottled water
Nonperishable food
Blankets
Matches
Garbage bags, plastic ties, and moist towelettes for personal sanitation
First-aid kit
Medications (over-the-counter and prescription)
Pet supplies
Battery banks for charging devices
Battery-powered all-weather radio
Multipurpose tool
Hand sanitizer
Dust mask
Whistle
A list of important numbers, including your SMTX Utilities account number. Don't forget about the SMTX Utilities outage map where you can receive outage notifications.

Before A Storm

If forecasts begin to show sever weather coming your way, you may want to have these ready and on-hand in addition to your emergency kit.

Charged cell phones and extra cords for charging phones, tablets, and other electronic devices
Extra clothes
Battery-powered radio
An additional electrical source, such as a generator
Extra fuel for vehicles

Prepare Your Home

Clear your yard of any decorations, potted plants, or debris that could potentially cause damage to your home
Clean out clogged gutters and downspouts
Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors, and seal leaks with caulk or replacement stripping
Sever storms can cause a branches and trees to fall on power lines, call 512-393-8313 to see if you are in services for the City of San Marcos to trim your tree limbs that may be a hazard
Develop a plan with your family in case of prolonged outages (where and when to seek shelter if needed)

During A Storm

Our updated outage map allows utility customers to search in real time for their address to see if their outage is registered, the status, and the estimated time of restoration is one is available
The City of San Marcos will provide updates whenever possible on our website and social media platforms, so be sure to like and follow for potential cooling shelter locations, outage, and weather alerts:

Protect Your Home

Make any necessary repairs to the exterior of your home
Clear your gutters of any debris to ensure proper drainage
Keep drapes and blinds closed, except when windows are in direct sunlight
Remove dead branches that could end up being dangerous projectiles in a severe storm
If you experience an outage, keep lights and appliances off to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored Instead, leave only one light on as a signal, so that you know when your power returns

Protect Your Family

Evacuate when ordered to do so by local officials before hurricane conditions hit San Marcos and follow posted evacuation routes
Never run a generator closer than 20 feet from doors and windows to prevent fumes from entering the home
Watch weather reports closely. Keep your all-weather radio nearby and listen to local media reports for the most up-to-date weather and safety information
Keep a close watch on the temperature in your home and check it often. If outages are prolonged, consider staying with friends, family, or in a local shelter
Keep these important safety tips in mind when using your generator and always practice safety when using alternative cooling sources
Bring pets inside your home if there are threats of hurricane or extreme heat
If you are able, check on elderly relatives, neighbors, and friends to make sure they’re safe, especially if they live alone
Never run your car in the garage as a way of warming up or cooling down - only run the car outside. Taking these steps could save you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning

SMTX Utilities is dedicated to providing reliable electric service to keep you and your family safe. While some events are beyond our control, we work hard to ensure that we are as prepared as possible.

Power Outage Tips

Power outages or service interruptions can occur for a variety of reasons including weather events like lightning strikes to equipment or wind blowing trees and limbs into power lines, vehicle accidents involving power poles, lines, and equipment, unexpected equipment failure, and animal contacts to lines. Use the following tips during a power outage:

Keep freezers and refrigerators closed
Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows
Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges
If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about what you may be able to do to keep it running during a power outage. You can also ask your power provider to put you on a list for priority power restoration
Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices. If you are on dialysis or other life-sustaining medical treatment know the location and availability of more than one facility that can help you
Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you
Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture
If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise

Safety and Preparedness

Summer Preparedness