KILLEEN, TX — Severe weather kept many people indoors on Wednesday.
The weather not only impacted Bell County schools, but also some recreational activities.
During recent thunderstorms, Killeen ISD parent Valerie Thomas received several notifications about emergency procedures put into effect at her children's schools.
"Automated calls just letting us know that due to the severe weather all students are going to be staying inside. And then of course we get an alert to our phone. It may be an email. It may just be a text message," said Thomas.
"Well as soon as the severe thunderstorm warning was issued, [superintendent] Dr. Craft immediately ordered our emergency procedures into effect. And that is he directed that all students in all schools be kept inside the buildings, not allowed outside even during passing periods until the storm passed," said Terry Abbott, KISD chief communications officer.
During the storm, Nolanville and Cavazos Elementary Schools, and Union Grove Middle School experienced power outages. In addition, power went on and off at Harker Heights High School.
Not only were schools impacted by the severe weather, roadways were flooded and thunderstorms shut down some recreational activities.
"Because lightning is within a close proximity we actually asked that people stay off and or away from the pool deck," said Alejandro Resto, head lifeguard at the Armed Services YMCA Killeen.
Thomas shared she is grateful to all who work to keep people safe during storms.
"Safety comes first at all times," said Thomas.
The power eventually came back on at those four KISD campuses, and the district has canceled all middle school soccer games tonight.
