Thousands Lose Power as Ice Storm Hits Central Texas

Austin Energy customers left in the cold as winter storm batters the region

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vast, frozen landscape painting in muted tones of blue and grey, with a dramatic, atmospheric perspective that dwarfs any visible power lines or structures, conveying the overwhelming power of an ice storm.As a relentless ice storm paralyzes the Texas power grid, the overwhelming scale of nature's fury leaves thousands in the dark.Austin Today

A winter storm has plunged Austin, Texas, into darkness, leaving thousands of residents shivering in the cold. Over 4,000 Austin Energy customers experienced a chilling afternoon as their power supply abruptly vanished. The outage map revealed a concerning scenario, with the situation far from resolved as icy conditions are expected to linger until Sunday.

Why it matters

This power outage coincides with an ice storm warning for Central Texas, where temperatures have dipped below freezing. The icy conditions can lead to tree damage and more power outages, posing a significant challenge for the region's infrastructure. The situation raises questions about the preparedness of Texas' power grid for extreme winter weather.

The details

The outage map revealed 4,078 customers affected at 1:58 p.m., which dropped to 2,005 by 2:07 p.m. Forecasters predict a quarter-inch ice accumulation, with the Hill Country potentially facing twice that amount. ERCOT has issued a Weather Watch from Saturday to Tuesday, acknowledging the potential strain on the power grid and the possibility of reduced reserves.

  • The outage was first reported at 1:58 p.m. on April 11, 2026.
  • By 2:07 p.m., the number of affected customers had dropped to 2,005.
  • The ice storm warning is expected to last until Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Austin Energy

The electric utility company serving the city of Austin, Texas.

ERCOT

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the organization responsible for managing the state's power grid.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

ERCOT has assured that it will utilize all resources to maintain grid reliability, but the situation remains delicate as the storm continues to batter the region.

The takeaway

This power outage highlights the vulnerability of Texas' power grid to extreme winter weather, raising concerns about the state's preparedness and the need for infrastructure improvements to ensure reliable electricity supply during such events.