News Summary
Austin faced significant power outages affecting nearly 13,000 customers after a severe storm swept through the area. The storm, which brought strong winds and heavy rain, left many residents in South Austin without electricity. Restoration efforts are underway, but the event marks a continuation of severe weather challenges this month, with previous storms also causing widespread outages. Residents are urged to stay prepared for further severe weather in the coming days.
Austin Experiences Widespread Power Outages Following Severe Storm
A severe storm that passed through Austin on Sunday afternoon left approximately 12,946 customers of Austin Energy without power around 3:20 p.m. The outages, which began around 3 p.m., were particularly concentrated in the South Austin area, with significant disruptions reported near South Lamar Boulevard and West Oltorf Street.
The storm brought heavy rain, lightning, and winds ranging from 40 to 50 mph. At the peak of the disruptions, 82 separate outages were recorded. Although the majority of power was restored by Sunday night, the incident marked one of the largest outage events in recent memory, continuing a streak of severe weather affecting the region.
Details of the Outage
First reports of power loss emerged just before 3 p.m., coinciding with the arrival of the severe storm. Most of the outages were concentrated in South Austin, where over 5,000 homes experienced power loss. As restoration efforts proceeded, Austin Energy deployed all available crews to address the issues as quickly as possible.
This incident is the latest in a series of weather-related power outages affecting Austin this month. Earlier in the week, severe storms caused more than 72,000 outage reports. Residents are still recovering from the aftermath of a historic microburst earlier, which left many without power for nearly a week. Experts indicated that the damage from the microburst may have weakened surrounding trees, contributing to the incidents during Sunday’s storm.
Effects on Residents
Despite the challenges posed by the storm and power outages, families in the area sought ways to maintain a sense of normalcy. For example, an Austin resident whose family gathering was interrupted by a brief one-hour outage during Father’s Day found enjoyable activities that didn’t require power, including making ice cream and playing baseball in the rain.
Weather Conditions
The severe weather conditions that hit Austin on Sunday followed a series of storms earlier in the week that also brought significant challenges and fatalities, including a water rescue operation that resulted in one confirmed death and another person still missing. Storm damage during the week included fallen trees, electrical poles, and considerable damage to local businesses and historical sites.
Austin Energy has not provided a timeline for full restoration as assessments of the damage remain in progress. Some areas are reported to have experienced severe destruction, while others saw little to no impact from the storms.
Regional Weather Outlook
Looking ahead, the National Weather Service has advised that further severe weather conditions could return late Thursday night, raising concerns for additional outages and property damage. Furthermore, a Saharan dust plume is forecasted to affect air quality in Texas, including Austin and San Antonio, adding another layer of complexity to the environmental situation.
The storms this year have been among the most severe since 2012, alongside significant weather events experienced in 2021. As Austin continues to navigate the challenges brought on by the storms, residents are urged to stay informed and prepare for any further disruptions.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE
- Wikipedia: Austin
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google Search: Austin power outages
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Austin severe storm
- KVUE
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin storm 2025
- CBS Austin
- Google News: Austin Energy disruptions
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
