After a Rough Night in Austin, It Was San Antonio’s Turn
Central Texas just endured back-to-back nights of severe weather.
On Thursday, powerful storms battered the Austin area, packing straight-line winds of 50 to 70 mph that collapsed a house under construction in South Austin, killing one worker and injuring another. Less than 24 hours later, the storm pattern shifted south, and San Antonio found itself in the crosshairs.
Heavy thunderstorms tore through the San Antonio area last night, triggering flash flooding, damaging winds, and one of the largest power outage events the region has seen in recent months. By early this morning, tens of thousands of CPS Energy customers were still in the dark, and crews were working through the night to restore service.
Rainfall and Flood Warnings
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for northern Bexar County and south-central that remained in effect until 12:15 a.m. Saturday. Rainfall totals climbed quickly, with 2 to 3 inches falling in parts of the warned area by shortly after 9 p.m., and forecasters warned another 1 to 2 inches were possible as the storms continued to move through.
A separate severe thunderstorm warning covered southwestern Bexar County, southern Medina County, and northwestern Atascosa County until 10:15 p.m. The National Weather Service reported flash flooding was either occurring or expected in creeks, streets, highways, and underpasses across the warned areas, and cautioned that wind gusts up to 60 mph were possible along with torrential rainfall as the system pushed southwest through the county.
At San Antonio International Airport, conditions deteriorated quickly as the storms rolled in: temperatures dropped to 72 degrees by 8:51 p.m., wind gusts reached 40 mph, and visibility fell to roughly 1.5 miles.
Road Closures and Driving Hazards
With flooding developing across streets, highways, and underpasses, the National Weather Service urged drivers not to attempt crossing flooded roadways, noting that high water can be especially hard to spot after dark. Conditions were expected to gradually improve overnight as the storm system moved out of the area.
Storm Damage
The storms left a trail of damage across the city.
On San Antonio’s North Side, high winds caused a gas station canopy to collapse onto vehicles parked beneath it. Elsewhere, the severe winds and heavy rain were also blamed for overturning an 18-wheeler as the storm system raced through the area.
Power Outages
UPDATE (6:00 PM)
The outages were widespread and fast-moving. CPS Energy reported more than 50,000 customer outages by 9:30 p.m. Friday, and that number kept climbing as the night went on. At the peak of the event, the utility said crews were responding to 560 separate outage events affecting more than 101,000 customers — one of the largest weather-related outage totals the area has seen recently.
By 6:00 pm this evening, that number had come down significantly, with roughly 61,000 customers still without power as restoration crews continued working throughout the day today.
What’s Next
The weather is expected to turn sharply after the storms clear. Saturday’s forecast calls for sunny, hot conditions with a high near 97 degrees and elevated heat index values — a dramatic swing from Friday night’s severe weather. While clearer skies should help crews speed up power restoration, the heat also raises the stakes for anyone still without electricity, particularly those without air conditioning or backup cooling options.
Residents who are still experiencing outages or spot storm damage, including downed power lines, are encouraged to avoid the area and report it directly to CPS Energy rather than attempting to handle it themselves. Downed lines or any immediate safety hazard should be reported to 911.
A Regional Pattern
Together, the two nights underscore how volatile the weather has been across Central Texas this week. Austin’s storm system proved the more destructive of the two in terms of loss of life, with a fast-developing burst of wind strong enough to level a house under construction. San Antonio was spared that kind of structural catastrophe, but it bore the brunt of the flooding and outages, with far more customers losing power than Austin saw in its own storm the night before.
Whether this marks the end of the stretch of severe weather or simply a pause between systems remains to be seen.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Federal investigators are examining what led to the collapse of a house under construction in South Austin that killed one worker and injured another during Thursday’s storms.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed Friday it is investigating the death of a man who died when the house, being built in the Estancia development at 12002 Salvador St., came down amid straight-line winds reported between 50 and 70 mph.
The construction company involved confirmed the man who died was an employee of one of the company’s subcontractor and that construction at the site was suspended immediately. The victim suffered traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
With temperatures in the triple digits, some Austin ISD facilities are dealing with HVAC issues.
McCallum High School experienced similar issues at the beginning of the school year in 2023.
A northeast Austin flea market that experienced extensive damage in a fire last weekend is set to reopen.
The owners of Austin Country Flea Market announced in a Facebook post on Friday that it will reopen its doors this weekend.
A window fell from a high-rise apartment building on Rainey Street, causing damage to cars parked below.
Around 15 federal and state officers were spotted at the local office of a construction company on MoPac Expressway Thursday morning — and that was just one of at least three offices raided.
Federal and state officers were spotted raiding the Austin office of Cadence McShane Construction Co. LLC. The company acknowledged it was part of an inquiry by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and involved offices in San Antonio and Plano as well. (Austin Business Journal)
Penske Media Corp. has taken full ownership of the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals. The media conglomerate previously bought a 50% stake in the festival in 2021. (Austin American-Statesman)
CapMetro released its July safety numbers.
THIS WEEKEND IN THE ATX
Area agencies responded Friday to a grassfire in Granite Shoals in Burnet County.
Texas A&M Forest Service crews are stretched across the state this morning, battling seven active wildfires from North Texas to the Hill Country.
The largest by far is the Ross Fire in Palo Pinto County, which has now scorched more than 85,000 acres and ranks among the biggest wildfires in North Texas history.
Meanwhile, smaller but stubborn fires continue to burn in Edwards, Leon, Gillespie, and Coryell counties — plus two separate blazes, the Granger and West Fork fires, both burning simultaneously in Sutton County. Forest Service officials say dry conditions and shifting winds continue to challenge containment efforts statewide.
| Fire | County | Acres | Contained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ross | Palo Pinto | 85,303 | 31% |
| Whitetail | Edwards | 300 | 20% |
| Yellow Square | Coryell | 221 | 90% |
| West Fork | Sutton | 250 | 10% |
| Center | Leon | 120 | 65% |
| White Oak | Gillespie | 129 | 60% |
| Granger | Sutton | 275 | 80% |
Texas Game Wardens continue to support local and state partners responding to the Ross Fire and other wildfires across Texas.
Over multiple days of fire response, two Texas Game Warden helicopters have made approximately 280 water drops, delivering more than 33,000 gallons of water to support firefighting efforts on the ground.
Pilots with the Texas Game Warden Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program are also assisting incident commanders and fire crews by providing aerial overwatch, locating hot spots, monitoring fire conditions and helping keep the air space safe from unauthorized drones within the temporary flight restriction that can hinder fire fighting efforts. On the ground, game wardens have helped notify residents of evacuations and staffed road closures to help keep people out of affected areas and give first responders room to work safely.
While firefighters and emergency personnel hold the front line, Texas Game Wardens are proud to work alongside them, providing additional personnel, aircraft and resources wherever needed as we all battle the blaze.
Please continue to follow evacuation orders and other instructions from local officials and avoid affected areas while crews are working.
WEATHER
FRIDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
FRIDAY’S PRECIPITATION TOTALS
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Austin Public Health’s new Heat-Related Illness Morbidity and Mortality Dashboard gives insights into what happens in hospitals and the EMS system when high temperatures hit the city. (Austin American-Statesman)
Buda City Council recently accepted a total of $3 million in investment from the Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to support the expansion of Buda Championship Park and grow sports tourism in the area. (City of Buda)
Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) is demanding the immediate release of a local Naval Academy midshipman’s mother who was taken into ICE custody. Maria Rocio Rocha was arrested on Aug. 25 during what was supposed to be a routine green card interview at a federal immigration office.
Castro said at a Friday afternoon news conference that, like his request to visit Victor Martinez Nieto and his son, Liam Tadeo, at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, his request to visit Maria Rocio Rocha, the mother of David Garcia, a U.S. Naval Academy midshipman appointed by Castro, was rejected.
A Travis County judge could soon rule that hemp businesses in Texas are allowed to sell THC products once again as the ongoing legal battle between the state and hemp businesses continues.
Three students were injured Friday morning after a stabbing near Americas High School in El Paso, prompting a major law enforcement response and a temporary lockdown of the campus.
The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office has led a months-long, multi-agency investigation into an organized grain-theft operation that began with one report in our county and spread across Texas.
Bexar County authorities recently arrested a man during a traffic stop who was on the county’s Top 20 Most Wanted list.
An Arizona man will soon be extradited to Texas on capital murder charges after modern forensic testing identified him as the person responsible for a 1981 sexual assault and murder. The suspect, Kelly Lee Brower, 68, was arrested on Aug. 19, 2026, in Cottonwood, Arizona. (Texas Department of Safety)
This video from KXAN Investigates explores the outdated and unique death investigation system in Texas, which heavily relies on elected Justices of the Peace who often lack formal medical or forensic training.
The guys rant about electricity, power lines, and concrete shells that house servers. Also, the new wedge issue in the midterm election and a look ahead to 2028.
A sit-down with Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for Governor of Texas. Earlier this year, she ate tacos with former President Barack Obama & James Talarico. Today she’s discussing them with us. We’ll talk about what it means to run for governor as a Latina woman and her abuela’s sage advice that she still carries with her.
A look at the Trump administration’s new economic sanctions on Iran, plans to expand beef imports and the Supreme Court’s decision allowing restrictions on mail-in voting to move forward.
In Texas, Trump’s upcoming Harris County visit raises questions about its impact on Republican politics—and whether it could create problems for Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The episode also looks at Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s push to penalize school districts over books deemed inappropriate under Senate Bill 13 and Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for a financial review of school district spending.
Plus, Paxton’s appearance at a WNBA game amid recent discussions about transgender athletes, while Abbott’s Texas-themed playlist draws attention for an unexpected reason.
(Episode from August 28, 2026)
Gov. Abbott was searching for any kind of message during an ABC News interview this week in which he was pressed about data centers, the price of gas, and whether he would give President Trump a letter grade on the economy. Hint: He didn’t. And as Harvey has pointed out, President Trump and Speaker Johnson are campaigning in Texas where top GOP candidates including Abbott and Ken Paxton are flailing at the moment.
HK also checks in about Paxton’s data center plan while President Trump calls James Talarico “a little freaky.”
But first: Do we really believe Gov. Abbott has ever even heard some of the artists on his summer playlist like BigXthaPlug?
(Episode from August 28, 2026)
A woman was found dead Thursday on a Hill Country state park trail, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said.
First responders from several local departments were notified around 3 p.m. Thursday of a possible death at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a spokesperson for TPWD said. (KSAT-TV)
Concertgoers at this year’s State Fair of Texas will notice the Main Stage has been moved to a new location within the park.
Big Tex begins greeting visitors September 18 and the Fair will run through October 18.
SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL – WEEK 1
Austin Westlake shook off a slow start Friday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to beat California visitor Inglewood 33-26 at Chaparral Stadium and open the 2026 season with a statement win over a nationally regarded opponent.
Elsewhere around the area, No. 4 Vandegrift held off Brennan, Weiss knocked off Round Rock in a top-10 showdown, and No. 8 New Braunfels and No. 15 Georgetown both came away with wins.
It wasn’t as kind a night for a pair of ranked teams on the road, as No. 19 Bastrop fell in a shootout at Lake Creek and Leander dropped a close one at Pflugerville.
Lorena also made the trip worthwhile, running away from Lago Vista on the road.
Friday, Aug. 28 — Final Scores
- Westlake 33, Inglewood (Calif.) 26
- #4 Vandegrift 28, Brennan 21
- Weiss 42, Round Rock 28
- Cedar Park 40, A&M Consolidated 9
- #8 New Braunfels 38, Seguin 7
- #15 Georgetown 28, Temple 23
- Harker Heights 63, Hutto 21
- Boerne 34, Westwood 14
- Lockhart 45, Marble Falls 29
- Lorena 42, Lago Vista 7
- Lake Creek 52, #19 Bastrop 34
- Pflugerville 25, Leander 21
- Taft 27, Del Valle 21
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Texas Longhorns football kicks off its 2026 season one week from today, with No. 5 Texas hosting Texas State on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. Kickoff for the opener is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN, launching a three-game homestand that also includes Ohio State and UTSA before the Longhorns head into SEC play.
MLS: After being eliminated from Leagues Cup play earlier this week, Austin FC is on the road in Oregon for a Saturday night showdown against Portland Timbers. The match will kick off at 9:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. PT at Providence Park. (Austin FC)
MLB: The Houston Astros increased their AL West division lead over the Texas Rangers to two games last night after a win on the road. The Rangers lost.
| Rank | Team | W | L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Astros | 68 | 67 |
| 2 | Texas Rangers | 66 | 69 |
| 3 | Seattle Mariners | 64 | 71 |
| 4 | Athletics | 53 | 82 |
| 5 | Los Angeles Angels | 52 | 83 |
It’s a tight race up top — Houston’s holding a narrow lead over Texas, with Seattle still within shouting distance. The bottom two teams have fallen well off the pace.
ON THE SCHEDULE
NFL: Texas woke up 0-for-2 this morning after both the Cowboys and Texans dropped their preseason finales overnight, closing out the exhibition slate with a pair of losses as roster cuts loom.
The Cowboys fell 27-24 to the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium in a game that mattered more for who didn’t play than who did — with the bulk of Dallas’ presumed 53-man roster, including Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, held out of pads as coach. Brian Schottenheimer’s staff finalized decisions ahead of Sunday’s roster deadline.
Dallas finishes the preseason with plenty still to sort out on defense, but the real business starts in Week 1: a Sunday Night Football trip to MetLife Stadium on Sept. 13 to face John Harbaugh’s New York Giants, a rekindling of one of the NFL’s most storied season-opening rivalries.
The Texans, meanwhile, wrapped an 0-3 preseason with a 16-13 loss at Carolina, falling behind 16-6 before a late touchdown pass from Brett Rypien to Zay Jones made it close. Like Dallas, Houston sat its starters — DeMeco Ryans used the night to settle the back end of the roster rather than chase a preseason win. The Texans now turn to the regular season opener on Sept. 13, hosting the Buffalo Bills in a game that will double as an early measuring stick against one of the AFC’s top contenders.
For both Texas franchises, preseason record is already forgotten. What matters now is whether four weeks of evaluation translated into the right 53 men — because in eight days, it’s for real.
NFL WEEK 1:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
PGA: The CEO of Good Good Golf, the Texas-based YouTube channel and digital media company, has refused to rule out legal action after a viral advertising controversy. The company claims it was unfairly blamed following Tuesday’s release of a collaborative ad with Callaway Golf, which depicted a man shoving a woman to the ground when she tried to take a driver from his golf bag.
After triggering severe backlash across social media and the wider golf community, the commercial was removed from all platforms.
Following the ad backlash, Good Good Golf has officially stepped away from sponsoring its Austin tour stop.
The tournament—originally branded as the Good Good Championship—was set to debut from November 12–15, 2026, at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa (Fazio Canyons Course) as an official FedEx Cup Fall event on the PGA Tour.
We’re back under those Friday night lights again.
High school football in Texas. Enough said.
Watch the full game replay as Westlake hosts Inglewood (CA) at Chaparral Stadium to open the 2026 high school football season.
