Austin, TX
City officials announce opening of resource centers to help residents affected by ice storm
Metropolis officers announce opening of useful resource facilities to assist residents affected by ice storm
Metropolis Supervisor Spencer Cronk says Austin Power and its out-of-state companions proceed working across the clock to revive energy, however that many remaining outages are very complicated.
AUSTIN, Texas – Wednesday evening, lower than 1,000 Austin Power prospects remained with out energy, as frustration continues to develop over the town’s response to final week’s ice storm.
Earlier Wednesday, Metropolis Supervisor Spencer Cronk and different metropolis officers introduced the opening of latest useful resource facilities to assist affected residents with simply hours till Metropolis Council takes motion to presumably fireplace him.
“I am comfortable to report that greater than 99.5% of consumers now have energy,” mentioned Austin Metropolis Supervisor Spencer Cronk Wednesday afternoon.
Cronk says Austin Power and its out-of-state companions proceed working across the clock to revive energy, however that many remaining outages are very complicated.
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“In some instances, damaged tools is underneath piles of particles, and we have had poles that snap from the load of ice or the power of a falling tree. And people tasks can take a whole crew a full day to restore,” mentioned Cronk.
Cronk was joined by different metropolis leaders for a press convention on the Montopolis Recreation and Neighborhood Middle on Montopolis Drive Wednesday afternoon. The middle was the primary of 4 useful resource hubs which were set as much as help these coping with the storm’s impression.
Texas ice storm restoration replace – 2/8/23
Officers present newest details about efforts to revive energy and extra in Austin and the encircling areas.
“These useful resource facilities are designed to be a one-stop store to assist folks get entry to important sources like meals, water, shelter,” mentioned Austin Public Well being Director Adrienne Stirrup.
The town did present emergency shelter for almost 1,900 homeless folks on the peak of the storm, however many are questioning why it took so lengthy to get sources up and operating for different residents.
“We have been having to attend for guarantee that the roads have been clear, guarantee that particles was not going to get in the best way, guarantee that it was not a hazardous situation for our residents to come back to a multi-agency useful resource middle,” mentioned Austin Homeland Safety and Emergency Administration Director Juan Ortiz,
Regardless of the sluggish restoration of energy and rollout of sources, Cronk argued the response to the storm was truly the results of classes realized from Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
“You’ll see from how we have now seemed on the after motion report from winter storm Uri and the way ice and power specifically has actually adopted and carried out lots of these suggestions, if not all,” mentioned Cronk.
About 1,300 Austin Power prospects nonetheless with out energy
The utility mentioned crews are working across the clock to carry that quantity right down to zero.
Dr. Brian Smith, a political science professor at St. Edward’s College, says Cronk placing himself entrance and middle now could be no accident.
“I believe he understands now that if I wish to hold this job, I will need to be much more seen to folks in Austin,” mentioned Smith.
Metropolis council is ready to take up an emergency merchandise Thursday morning to “consider” Cronk’s employment in mild of the outage response.
“You are simply a vote from council and the town supervisor’s finished,” mentioned Smith.
Smith says the mix of the botched metropolis response two years in the past, plus the present debacle, may imply Cronk is out.
“That is a couple of multitude of incidents,” mentioned Smith. “And for Spencer Cronk, folks look and say, ‘you make all this cash. Why is not the solar shining?’”
The remaining Multi-Company Useful resource Facilities (MARCs) are as follows:
- Date: Thursday, February 9Times: 3:00 – 8:00 pmLocation: North Austin YMCA: 1000 W Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758
- Instances: 3:00 – 8:00 pmLocation: North Austin YMCA: 1000 W Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758
- Location: North Austin YMCA: 1000 W Rundberg Ln, Austin, TX 78758
- Dates: Friday, February 10Times: 9:00 am – 7:00 pmLocation: Austin Conference Middle: 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
- Instances: 9:00 am – 7:00 pmLocation: Austin Conference Middle: 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
- Location: Austin Conference Middle: 500 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
- Dates: Saturday, February 11Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pmLocation: Austin Neighborhood School Riverside, 1020 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
- Instances: 10:00 am – 4:00 pmLocation: Austin Neighborhood School Riverside, 1020 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
- Location: Austin Neighborhood School Riverside, 1020 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
The Metropolis of Austin and its associate businesses have additionally opened a disaster hotline to assist these coping with psychological well being points associated to the storm and its aftermath. The quantity is (512) 472-HELP.
For an summary of the sources accessible to Austinites, click on right here.
Extra particulars about restoration sources, click on right here.