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Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.
During periods of extreme heat, keep the following in mind.
- Beat the heat by staying indoors and in the shade.
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool such as libraries and shopping malls or contact your local health department to find a cooling center in your area.
Find summer energy saving tips here.
SMTXU Electric division's safety program has been recognized by the American Public Power Association (APPA), a nationwide organization of community owned electric utilities. Our Electric division earned the APPA’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2021, receiving a Third Place classification among similarly sized electric utilities. This year, 135 of the more than 2,000 public power utilities were recognized.
Having our employees leave for home at the end of the day in the same condition that they arrived is our number one goal. Safety is our top priority and is a focus in everything that we do. We are proud to be recognized by a national organization of our peers!
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. View power outage tips.
Call 512-393-8313 to report a power outage, low hanging power lines, or vegetation / tree limbs on the lines.
Dial 811 from any phone in Texas at least two working days prior to beginning excavation. Texas811 will notify local utilities of the dig location, and utility representatives will mark underground utilities with paint or flags. Private property utility lines will not be located by the representative.
SMTX Utilities is a municipally owned and operated retail electric distribution system purchased by the City of San Marcos in 1986. The Lower Colorado River Authority sells wholesale power to the City.
San Marcos is proud of our low electric rates and excellent reliability record. The Electric Utility serves over 23,300 customers in San Marcos, including residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial customers.
The demands of all of our electrical appliances and devices may be great and can be too much for a home electrical system. If you see any of the following signs, be sure to contact a qualified electrician to schedule an inspection: frequent tripping of circuit breakers or blowing of fuses, dimming of lights when other devices are turned on, buzzing sounds from switches or outlets, discolored outlets, and appliances that seem underpowered. Visit ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) for more information.