Ringtail Causes Widespread Power Outage in Kerrville

In a surprising twist of wildlife meets infrastructure, a ringtail — a small, raccoon-like mammal native to Texas — was the unlikely culprit behind a significant power outage in Kerrville on the evening of April 9.

The incident occurred when the nocturnal animal made its way into a local electrical substation, triggering equipment failure that left approximately 3,800 residents without power for several hours, according to utility officials.

Crews with the Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) responded swiftly, working into the night to restore service. Power was gradually returned to affected neighborhoods, with full restoration reportedly completed within a few hours.