Dear Neighbors,

I know many of you are enduring prolonged power outages and need to make difficult decisions for your families’ safety. I understand that you require transparency and timely information to make those choices so I am writing to provide some updates and answers to some of your more immediate questions

to the extent I can with the information provided to me.

I understand that in the days and weeks to come we also will want to investigate what happened to our power yet again. I recognize that this experience is especially difficult as many recall what we endured during the 2021 winter storm.  I am committed to determining both what went wrong and what more we can do to improve our climate resilience and our infrastructure.  

Power Restoration Timeline

As of 7:30 this evening, Austin has over 900 active outages impacting approximately 162,000 customers. Austin Energy has restored power to more than 72,000 customers, and crews are working as swiftly and safely as possible to restore power. Austin Energy now estimates that all outages will be restored by 6 p.m. on Friday.  However, this situation is fluid and more icing is expected in Austin through tonight.

If you need transportation assistance to a safe and warm location, please call 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.

Causes of Outages; Power Restoration Efforts and Challenges

Restoration progress has been slow due to consistently freezing temperatures and accumulating ice. Additionally, some areas are experiencing repeated outages as trees and branches continue to topple on power lines under the weight of the ice. Crews are reporting that the individual service wires of many homes have been pulled down by falling trees. Homes are also experiencing frozen switches designed to stop the flow of power on a line in the event of a fault, and it is challenging to re-close these switches manually when they have been frozen.

The issues we are experiencing are not because of malfunctioning equipment. Austin Energy has encountered only two broken poles and no transformer outages. Over 70 percent of our outages impact very small groups of customers. These isolated outages are more complex and take more time to address. Austin Energy crews are prioritizing power restoration to critical organizations and working on getting the greatest number of customers online in the least amount of time.

Austin Energy has 85 crews in service, with an additional 32 crews from other utilities that have begun working, and additional crews from CenterPoint Energy arriving as soon as possible. These crews are doing challenging work in difficult circumstances and we are grateful for their service. Please be patient as we must also consider the crews’ safety as we navigate the ice storm and its aftermath.  

Austin Energy’s Outage Map

Some of you have brought to my attention that there are ongoing issues with the Austin Energy Outage Map and shared that your outage is no longer registering online. I realize this was a big issue during Storm Uri and, while I understand updates were made they clearly did not work as planned. 

I raised this issue with Austin Energy and received this update this evening:

Due to the high number of customers trying to report power outages, Austin Energy’s system isn’t allowing some people to submit through their outage map or by text. If you see a large outage on the map near your home, Austin Energy is likely already aware that your house is without power. You can still call their outage line at (512) 322-9100, but be aware that there are long wait times due to the high volume of calls.

Austin Energy crews are working to restore power as quickly and as safely as possible, but challenging conditions may slow down these efforts. Crews are driving through icy roadways and working with frozen equipment. Based on these changing conditions, it is not possible to provide estimated restoration times. Once AE is able to assess the extent of the damage and the safety of employees and customers, AE will be able to provide an estimated restoration time. 

Warming Centers and Cold Weather Shelters

Cold weather shelters are active again tonight and tomorrow. Anyone who needs transportation can call 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000 for assistance.

I will share an updated list of daytime warming centers tomorrow. Also check my and the City’s social media for information. 

If you lost power and plan to stay in your home, please follow these safety instructions:

Staying Warm

• Wear several layers of light weight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. 

• Wear hats, mittens, and blankets indoors.

• Close curtains and cover windows and doors with blankets.

• Try to stay together in one room, with the door closed, to keep in body heat.

Fire/Carbon Monoxide Safety

During winter weather, the threat posed by carbon monoxide can be greater due to the practice of warming up vehicles inside garages and the use of various heating elements.

• Never run a vehicle inside an attached garage, even with open doors.

• Do not  use your oven or stove to heat your home or use generators, gas or charcoal grills, or camp stoves indoors.

• If utilizing a space heater, opt for a model with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. Keep the device uncovered and at least three feet away from flammable materials like curtains or blankets and the cord in a position that is neither a tripping hazard nor under carpets or rugs.

• Ensure your fireplace, wood stove or other combustion heater is up to code and the ventilation is adequate.

• Opt for battery-powered flashlights rather than candles. If candles are your only available source of light, don't leave them unattended.

• If at all possible, use a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home.

I will share more information as I learn more. Please stay safe, and call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Regards, 

Alison Alter

Council Member, District 10

P.S. To assist those with limited internet access, we will continue to send newsletters without images.