Austin Faces Widespread Outages, 1 Dead After Destructive Storm

A severe hailstorm struck Austin, causing widespread outages and resulting in at least one fatality. Over 16,000 customers remain without power, following peak outages of 72,000, which is among the worst disruptions since 2012. Emergency crews have been working continuously since Wednesday evening, supported by over 200 teams from neighboring areas to address the extensive damage to electrical infrastructure. Austin Energy officials caution that a timeline for complete restoration has yet to be established, indicating that recovery may take several days. City Manager T.

C. Broadnax highlighted the storm as a reminder of the importance of preparedness. The storm's intensity exceeded forecasting models due to a combination of tropical moisture and other weather factors. Unlike previous outages in 2021 and 2023, this event primarily stems from physical damage rather than grid failure. Officials continue to advise residents to remain vigilant and avoid hazardous areas during the cleanup process.