Nearly 32,000 Austin Energy customers are still without power as of 4am this morning. And the lights may not be back on for everybody before next Sunday, six days from now.
“This estimation is based on the following factors: rate of restoration since the start of the storm, number of workers involved in the restoration process, a more complete damage assessment, and weather,” Austin Energy wrote in a news release.
At a press conference, Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent described this winter storm as “hurricane-level devastation.”
Sargent said they are worried that this week's rain could complicate things even further.
“As early as Tuesday forecast calls for rain, thunderstorms and wind gusts,” Sargent said. “The trees are compromised, and high winds could pose new issues.”