AUSTIN (KXAN) — Central Texas is grappling with significant power outages as high winds swept through the region on March 4, 2025. Austin Energy announced heightened concerns for more outages occurring between 3 and 6 p.m. as wind gusts reached alarming speeds of 30 to 50 miles per hour. The National Weather Service cautioned the public, referring to the fire conditions as potentially historic.
At 6:50 p.m., Oncor reported approximately 1,699 customers affected, with 84 active outages. Meanwhile, Austin Energy indicated at 6:47 p.m. the number of impacted customers had swelled to 10,805, marking 117 active outages. This issue unfolded significantly as initial reports began at the start of the day, but the worst of the conditions were felt later in the afternoon.
Before this peak, at 5:30 p.m., Austin Community College’s Elgin campus announced it would close early due to power outages. “Only agriculture classes on the campus will continue on their regular schedules. All other classes, work, and activities at Elgin are canceled for the remainder of the day,” stated the college’s spokesperson. The campus updates were made on the ACC website and their social media pages to inform affected students.
By 5:25 p.m., around 17,200 customers, which constitutes 3% of Austin Energy’s service base, were without power. This prompted utility crews to work diligently through the increasing issues, as by 4:25 p.m., Austin Energy had reported the severity of the problem with 31,060 customers affected and 148 active outages – figures which only worsened as reports came flooding in.
Around the same time, Oncor pointed out 4,620 customers were affected within Williamson County, coupled with 107 active outages. By 3:50 p.m., video footage taken by KXAN photojournalist Ed Zavala captured the urgency as Austin police, the Austin Fire Department, and utility crews responded to reports of downed power lines around Cherrywood, highlighting the chaos surrounding this weather event.
Compounding the situation, traffic signals across Austin began malfunctioning, either going dark or switching to all-red flashing states. The city’s Transportation and Public Works Department advised drivers to mitigate the risk. “Consider all-red flashing signals as an all-way stop,” city officials noted on social media and urged caution for all travelers on the road.
By approximately 2:45 p.m., the gravity of the issue was becoming more apparent as Austin Energy stated 20,982 customers were faced with interruptions, reporting 109 active outages at the time. Just slightly earlier at 2:30 p.m., they had mentioned 18,238 customers affected with 95 outages active. Reports continued to surface through the afternoon, illustrating the extensive nature of the issue.
Weather conditions remained treacherous and were expected to continue influencing local infrastructures. Officials and services remained on high alert for any subsequent outages or emergencies. Community leaders and utility services focused on ensuring the organization of response efforts, but the unpredictable nature of such weather left many within the area anxious about the situation.
Experts and meteorologists alike underscored the urgency, reinforcing the National Weather Service’s assessment of potentially historic conditions. Communities were urged to remain vigilant, as the passing storm brought with it unpredictable risks including wildfires, power failures, and unexpected disturbances.
Overall, the day was marked by community cooperation and communication among local leaders and safety officials to manage and mitigate the effects of this disruptive weather and restore service as quickly as possible. Residents throughout Central Texas are being advised to stay tuned for updates on safety procedures and utility restoration efforts as authorities continue to monitor weather patterns.
While recoveries post-situation will be demonstrated, the impact of March 4 remains imprinted on many Central Texans, guiding lessons learned for future weather preparedness.