Austin Energy's interim general manager, Stuart Riley, delivered a stark assessment of the May 28 microburst storm during the recent Utility Oversight Committee meeting, highlighting it as the second worst storm in the utility's history in terms of infrastructure damage. The storm resulted in a staggering peak of 72,500 customers losing power, with a total of 124,000 unique customers affected at some point during the event.

Riley emphasized the need for Austin Energy to learn from this experience, particularly in light of the severe flooding that has recently impacted Central Texas. He noted that the ongoing climate crisis is intensifying weather events, prompting the utility to enhance its response strategies. "These storms are another reminder of the severe and important impacts of climate change," he stated, underscoring Austin Energy's commitment to resilience and sustainability.

The storm caused extensive damage, including the replacement of 91 power poles and 52 transformers, and the deployment of nearly 1,000 personnel for restoration efforts. The initial cost estimate for the response stands at $6.5 million, a figure that may rise as additional invoices are processed.

Riley also highlighted the utility's proactive approach to learning from past events, referencing the implementation of new communication strategies and damage assessment processes developed from previous after-action reviews. This continuous improvement mindset aims to bolster Austin Energy's readiness for future challenges, ensuring that the utility can better serve its customers in the face of increasingly severe weather.