City teams respond to storm damage with 250 mutual aid crews deployed

Austin's Electric Utility Commission held a meeting on June 9, 2025, where significant discussions centered around the recent storm response and the lessons learned from the event. The meeting highlighted the extensive damage caused by a microburst storm that struck the area on May 29, which resulted in widespread destruction to both infrastructure and homes.

During the meeting, officials reported that the storm led to unprecedented damage, with uprooted trees and roofs torn off houses. The hardest-hit areas included Northwest Hills, Hyde Park, and Springdale, where crews encountered severe conditions. In response to the storm, over 250 mutual aid crews were deployed from various utility companies, including CPS Energy and Encore, to assist in restoring power and repairing damage.

The commission acknowledged the importance of improved coordination and communication during the storm response, noting that lessons learned from previous storms were effectively implemented. Enhanced damage assessment processes and a structured restoration plan contributed to the efficient restoration of power to approximately 129,000 customers, despite the peak outage affecting 72,500 customers.

Looking ahead, the commission plans to present a detailed report on the storm response at the upcoming July meeting, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to improving utility services and community resilience in the face of severe weather events. The discussions underscored the critical role of collaboration and preparedness in mitigating the impacts of future storms.