Austin Energy crews to help restore power in Houston after damaging storms

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Some Austin Energy crews will head to Houston Saturday morning to help with storm recovery, the utility announced Friday.

This comes after thunderstorms with hurricane-force winds tore through the city, killing at least four people this week.

Austin Energy said 21 lineworkers and support personnel will make the trip east starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, equipped with bucket trucks and support vehicles. Crews are prepared to stay in Houston for up to two weeks, but that could change.

Austin Energy said it received the call for help from CenterPoint Energy, which was one of the companies that assisted Austin after the 2023 ice storm.

“Providing mutual aid in natural disasters is a tradition among public utilities, and this will offer tremendous training opportunities for our crews,” said Elton Richards, Austin Energy vice president of electric system field operations, in a press release. “I am honored to work with such caring individuals who work not only on behalf of the Austin community but are also willing to help others in need.”

CenterPoint is still assessing damage and working on restoration and has so far requested 4,000 lineworkers and 1,000 vegetation professionals total to help with recovery.

CenterPoint said strong winds caused significant damage to its electric system, including in Bellaire, Cypress, Baytown, Greenspoint, Humble and Spring Branch. Crews did make progress overnight, restoring power to more than 180,000 customers in the last 12 hours.