The Austin community is grappling with the aftermath of a violent hailstorm that swept through the city Wednesday night, leading to one confirmed fatality and leaving tens of thousands without power. As reported by CBS Austin, winds in the storm reached up to 77 mph, unleashing torrential hail and causing widespread property damage.
In the chaos that ensued, more than 72,500 Austin Energy customers were initially left in the dark. By Thursday morning, around 30,000 remained without electricity, despite crews working overnight to restore power. "We appreciate the community for being patient with us. Resources are coming in, and we are trying to as quickly and safely as possible to restore as many customers as we can, and to get all the poles and lines back up to energize back our customers," Daniel B, from Austin Energy’s System Restoration and Troubleshooter teams, told CBS Austin. Nonetheless, due to extensive damage to the electrical infrastructure, some outages may extend for multiple days.
The storm claimed at least one life – a person was pronounced dead after being swept away in floodwaters, as confirmed by Austin-Travis County EMS. First responders also carried out numerous water rescues amid flash flooding, with at least five individuals rescued from dangerous conditions, including two found clinging to a tree. Chron.com reported that the identity of the deceased has not yet been released, and searches continue as the city recovers from the storm's impact.
Damage assessments reveal the extensive nature of the storm's toll. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport experienced shattered glass near a security checkpoint and in Cedar Park, residents reported hailstones the size of baseballs. "This was a dangerous and destructive storm," Mayor Kirk Watson stated, emphasizing that the priority is on restoring power and ensuring the safety of the community, in a statement obtained by Chron.com. Austin Energy has not been able to provide an estimated timeline for full power restoration yet.
As the city begins recovery efforts, additional weather concerns loom. Forecasters warn of another potential round of severe weather that could bring further rainfall, hail, and winds to areas still reeling from Wednesday's damage. Community members have been advised to avoid affected areas, report hazards, and stay alert for emergency updates as the city fortifies itself against potential future severe weather events.
