May 2, 2025

Power Outages and Food Bank Support in College Station

News Summary

On May 1, 2025, College Station saw significant power outages impacting over 4,000 residents due to equipment failures at the Greens Prairie substation. The Brazos Valley Food Bank has called for increased support for its nutrition programs, emphasizing the need for reinstating Trade Mitigation Programs to aid vulnerable populations. City officials continue investigating the outages while also advancing community development projects, including new ballfields and a recreation center.

Power Outages Disrupt Life in South College Station on May 1; Brazos Valley Food Bank Seeks Support for Nutrition Programs

College Station experienced significant power disruptions on May 1, 2025, resulting in outages affecting more than 4,000 residents and businesses. The outages were traced back to issues at the Greens Prairie substation, with two separate incidents occurring on the same day.

The first outage, which took place Thursday morning, impacted approximately 1,000 customers in the Tower Point area. This interruption lasted about 20 minutes and was attributed to a burned-up connection due to an equipment failure on the distribution side of a power transformer bay at the Greens Prairie substation. City crews promptly switched the affected customers to another feeder, restoring power shortly after the incident.

Later in the afternoon, a second outage arose, affecting around 3,000 customers, specifically targeting the Castlegate neighborhood. Investigations into the cause of the transformer failure are ongoing, with preliminary assessments suggesting that such failures can occur on sunny days when animals interfere with equipment. City officials are diligently working to determine the root cause to prevent future occurrences.

In the wake of the power outages, the Brazos Valley Food Bank (BVFB) has been vocal about the need for enhanced support for its nutrition programs. Theresa Mangapora, the director of BVFB, has called for the reinstatement of Trade Mitigation Programs, previously established during the Trump administration. These programs played a crucial role in providing resources to vulnerable populations, including children, families, seniors, and veterans.

The Secretary of Agriculture has highlighted that the USDA allocates approximately $370 million daily toward nutrition programs, affirming that sufficient funding exists for food assistance initiatives. BVFB aims to position itself as a reliable partner in distributing food effectively when these programs are reintroduced.

Additional Developments in College Station

On the same day as the outages, the College Station City Council made strides toward community development by approving recommendations to form committees for two key capital projects. The first project involves the design of new ballfields at Veterans Park, while the second project focuses on a study evaluating the potential for a new recreation center.

Texas A&M University also announced significant administrative changes, with President Mark A. Welsh unveiling a leadership reorganization that establishes a unified division encompassing finance, human resources, and strategy operations. Joe Pettibon II has been appointed as the Senior Vice President of this newly formed division, effective immediately. This restructuring aims to enhance the alignment of Texas A&M’s financial resources, human capital, and strategic objectives.

Conclusion

The occurrences in College Station on May 1 highlight the interconnectedness of community infrastructure and support services. With power outages affecting residents, the BVFB is emphasizing the imperative of supporting food assistance programs, as local officials continue their efforts to bolster community amenities through capital projects and organizational restructuring.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Historic Flooding Grips the South and Midwest
Record Rainfall Causes Severe Flooding Across Mid-South
Central US Faces Severe Weather and Flooding Risks
Severe Tornado Outbreak Causes Widespread Destruction Across U.S.
Widespread Power Outages Hit Ontario as Ice Storm Strikes
Severe Storm System Causes Widespread Destruction Across States
Baylor Genetics Expands Operations in Houston
Devastating Tornadoes Cause Tragedy and Destruction Across Six States
Houston Residents Brace for Potential Rate Hike from CenterPoint Energy
Massive Storm System Threatens Over 100 Million Americans

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

Stay Connected

More Updates

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Submit