Storms Turned San Angelo Upside Down Last Night

A Cessna 152 was a victim of last night’s storms. This morning Home Motors, a wrecker company, was seen retrieving an upside-down airplane in front of Skyline Aviation.

Last night, the National Weather Service reported wind speeds of 60 mph as several lines of storms passed over the airport while dumping over four inches of rain on San Angelo in a very short period of time.

The Cessna was tied down in front of the FBO before falling victim to the high winds last night, and a symbol of how upside down everything quickly became when the storms rolled into town.

The San Angelo police report that both Bravo and Charles Company police officers were very busy last night due to weather related (and non-weather related) calls for service all over town. Here is a summary of the calls for service.

Burglar Alarms

10 incidents where related to weather was listed in the call notes

18 incidents that did not have weather listed in the call notes but these incidents were more than likely weather-related, as police officers did not locate any signs of burglary.

Vehicle Crashes

At 10 p.m., there was a fatality crash at Bentwood and Knickerbocker.  Weather was listed as a contributing factor and a witness said they observed the victim’s vehicle hydroplane before the crash. See this story for more information.

At about 11 p.m., there was a single vehicle crash in the 2800 block of Twin Mountain.  A 31-year-old male driver who was the single occupant reported that he took evasive action due to the weather and animals in the roadway.  His vehicle jumped the curb onto a rock-filled median and came to rest after colliding with a utility pole.  The driver received incapacitating injuries and was transported to San Angelo Community Hospital for treatment.  His current condition is unknown.

Debris in Roadway

There were five calls for service for tree branches/other debris in the roadway.

Fires

At 10 p.m., a structure fire was reported at a residence in the 2300 block of Carlton Way, however police and firefighters discovered subsequently that lightning had struck a tree, igniting it. The fire never spread to the residence or any other structures.

Fire Alarm/Electrical

Just before 11 p.m., a structure fire was reported in the 200 block of E. Ave H.  After arrival, San Angelo Fire Department found no evidence of a fire. SAFD personnel believe lighting may have triggered the smoke alarm.                

Just after midnight, SAFD responded to the 3400 block of Sherwood way for an audible fire alarm.  SAFD found no sign of fire, but did smell an electrical odor.         

Just after midnight, SAFD responded to the 4300 block of W. Houston Harte (eastbound) for an alarm.  SAFD Personnel made entry and did not locate a fire.  The call notes listed a water leak as a possible alarm trigger.

Just after 1 a.m., SAFD responded to the 900 block of N. Bishop but there were no signs of fire.  It is possible the alarm was triggered due to the weather.

Line Down

Power/utility line down issues were reported at four locations and varied from lightning hitting the poles, trees breaking and hitting the poles.

Other

At about 11:30 p.m., police received a call from someone leaving work and they were too scared to drive in the rainy conditions.

 At about 11:40 p.m., police received a call to assist a pedestrian who was attempting to cross a high water area in the 2400 block of S. College Hills Blvd.  Police responded but could not locate a pedestrian.  It is unknown if the pedestrian crossed safely and we did not receive any additional calls relating to the incident.

Just before midnight, SAFD responded to assist a woman stuck on a piece of her awning.  Further information is unknown.

A suspicious vehicle was reported just after 1 a.m. Police made contact and learned the driver had to park the vehicle in an unusual way because of the high water.

Stranded Motorists/Vehicles

At about 11:40 p.m., and at additional times throughout the shift, police received calls regarding a parked vehicle in the 2600 block of Lindenwood that was floating towards a pond.  The vehicle was unoccupied.  Later in the shift, police received a call about the driver. He had gone to a nearby residence and asked them to call for help because he had reportedly punched the vehicle’s windshield out to escape the vehicle filling with water.  He had injuries to his hand and was transported to a nearby hospital.  Unknown further.

Other assist motorists include 12 calls for service at various locations throughout the city, primarily at low water crossing areas.  

Weather Related 9-1-1

Police received three 9-1-1 calls that were found to be related to telephone line issues, no true need for emergency personnel.

Welfare checks

Police received two calls to check the welfare of individuals; one was because the resident was elderly and the other was due to water accumulating inside a residence.