Historic Storm Batters Austin with Hail and High Winds
On the evening of May 28, 2025, a sudden and violent thunderstorm swept through Austin, Texas, unleashing baseball-sized hail, flooding rains, and wind gusts up to 77 mph. Officials have ranked it the third worst weather event in Austin’s history—following only Winter Storms Mara and Uri.
🕯️ Power Outages Across the City
At the peak of the storm, over 72,000 customers lost power. As of the next morning, more than 30,000 homes and businesses remained in the dark, with Austin Energy deploying hundreds of workers and mutual aid crews to assist with restoration.
💔 One Fatality, Multiple Rescues
Tragically, one person drowned after being swept away in floodwaters near West North Loop Boulevard. Emergency responders reported a 35% spike in 911 calls, conducting nine water rescues, some involving people clinging to trees or trapped in cars.
🧱 Property & Infrastructure Damage
- Windows at the Texas Capitol were shattered.
- The University of Texas’ Disch-Falk Field sustained field and structure damage.
- Several gas stations saw canopy collapses.
- H-E-B grocery stores were forced to close due to spoilage caused by power failures.
🌊 Streets Turn to Rivers
Heavy rainfall overwhelmed storm drains and roadways, especially in North and Northwest Austin, leaving many areas impassable and vehicles stranded in deep water.
City Response and Restoration
Austin Energy has launched a three-phase power restoration plan, prioritizing public safety facilities, emergency response centers, and critical infrastructure. Residents are advised to:
- Avoid downed power lines
- Stay off flooded roads
- Report outages through the Austin Energy website or outage map
📹 Watch the Storm Unfold
Footage captured by locals shows the full intensity of the storm:
▶️ Watch: Hail Chaos in Austin, Texas – May 28, 2025
🔔 Stay Alert and Prepared
With extreme weather becoming more common, it’s important to:
- Sign up for emergency alerts
- Maintain an emergency storm kit
- Follow local officials for updates during severe weather events
Leave a Reply