Storms knock out power for thousands in the Austin area

Severe thunderstorms, propelled by a cold front, caused widespread power outages across Central Texas on Sunday night, affecting tens of thousands of residents at the height of the storm.

Austin Energy reported that over 14,000 customers experienced power outages at approximately 11:06 p.m. on Sunday, affecting an estimated 35,000 individuals. As of early Monday morning, the number of outages had decreased notably, affecting approximately 3,472 customers, or about 8,600 residents.

Severe storms swept through the region, delivering damaging wind gusts, hail, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning as they progressed from the northwest to the southeast.

The National Weather Service has announced a severe thunderstorm watch for a significant portion of Central Texas, encompassing Travis County, Williamson County, and Hays County, effective through Sunday night. Severe thunderstorm warnings were briefly issued in certain areas of Austin, then expired just before midnight.

Meteorologists warned of an “enhanced” risk level—a 3 out of 5 on the severe weather scale—for portions of the region, a designation that signals a higher likelihood of significant storms. Officials have reported that the most significant threat emerged in the hours following the storms' arrival, starting as early as 5 p.m. In anticipation of the severe weather, Governor Greg Abbott instructed state agencies to mobilize emergency response resources to support local communities as necessary.

Overnight conditions improved significantly, with storms dissipating by Monday morning, paving the way for cooler temperatures as the new week began.

Officials urged residents to stay weather-aware during severe storms, monitor alerts, and be prepared to take shelter when warnings are issued. A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued, indicating that conditions are conducive to storm development. In contrast, a warning has been declared, signaling an immediate threat to life and property.

As recovery efforts progress, residents are encouraged to monitor outages, weather updates, and emergency alerts via local agencies and utility providers.