Austin Energy releases insight into May Microburst
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Energy released an "After-Action Report" based on its findings from the damage and response to a microburst associated with a powerful thunderstorm on May 28, 2025. The storm, which the utility dubbed the "May Microburst" brought wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour and hail of up to 1.5 inches in diameter, or ping-pong sized hail.
The Thunderstorm
Heavy showers, strong winds and hail tore through the city of Austin. Video sent in to the KXAN newsroom showed streets overflowing and becoming small rivers in areas such as Hyde Park, Northwest Austin, Brentwood, Shoal Creek and more. Trees across the city were damaged with limbs dangling and were across yards.
According to the survey results by the National Weather Service, the strongest winds from the microburst and the rear flank drowndraft with wind gusts up to 85 mph.
City of Austin Survey
According to Austin Energy, 91 poles were damaged along with 32,000 feet of overhead cables. In addition, 52 transformers across the city were impacted, causing power outages. 72,000 customers lost power during the storm, which the electric company says is the second most destructive weather event in the utility's history based on infrastructure damage.
Timing of the storm
Austin Energy released its timeline of events and broke down their response into three different phases: Phase 1 restoration, Phase 2 restoration and Phase 3.
Based on the timeline, the storms began to impact the city at 6:26 p.m. By 7 p.m., the utility activated its Department Operations Center. By 7:25 p.m. mutual aid was requested by the company due to the sheer volume of damage and power outages. By 7:56 p.m., the peak number of customers lost power at 72,506. Finally, by 2 p.m. the following day mutual aid crews began to arrive. This marked the end of Phase 1.
Within the first few minutes, 40 circuits were knocked offline. The utility said Phase 1 focused on life-saving services -- such as hospitals, emergency call centers and water treatment facilities. As they reached the end of Phase 1, 78.9% of those affected had power restored.
Phase 2 and 3
As the 24th hour approached after the storm, the utility said its attention turned to more difficult repairs, which affected the largest number of customers. This included replacing damaged transformers, power lines and removing fallen trees and branches.
Over 15,000 customers saw power restored by 1 p.m. on May 30. By June 1 at 6 p.m., Phase 3 began focusing on the most labor intensive affecting around 500 customers. By midday of June 2, power was fully restored.
Austin Energy future response
Based off of previous storms, including winter storms in 2021 and 2023, Austin Energy implemented improvements it felt was needed in its response.
A few findings it released what it will try to improve on after the May Microburst, which includes:
Emergency Preparedness Strategy
- Limited Bench Depth of ICS (Incident Command System)-Trained Personnel Action Roles
- Gaps in ICS Role Definition and Preparedness
- Need for a Documented Mobilization Plan
- Limited Emergency Management Support at Field Locations
Software, Systems and Training
- Challenges Using Software and Reporting Systems
- Inconsistent Activation and Notification Systems
Training and Coordination
- Need for Enhanced Onboarding for Mutual Aid Crews
- Need for Enhanced Training for Customer Care Representatives
Restoration Coordination
- Need for Enhancements in Operational Coordination
- Need for Command Structure at Mutual Aid Staging Area
- Unclear Crew and Shift Information
- Limited Radio Access for Field Personnel
Damage Assessment
- Coordination Opportunities Among Field Teams
- Inaccuracies in Initial Assessments
- Training and Role Clarity
Public Communication and Outreach
- Opportunity to Refine Messaging and Delivery
- Insufficient Coordination for Some Outreach Activites
- Limited Cross-Departmental Support
- Communication Challenges for Customers Without Power