For the record, Uri was about load shed due to lack of generation. Today's outages are all because of "localized" down lines from trees and ice weight. Being on a priority circuit (I'm also on one and didn't lose power during Uri -- fire station) wouldn't protect you from today's outages -- but it might bump you to front of line for repairs.
Wasn't expecting this level of ice storm -- trees (branches) down everywhere -- Austin has around 150,000 without power.
My outdoor temp gauge shows 33 degrees , light rain is falling, and ice appears to be melting. Yet, The weather websites are saying it is like 28 degrees. lol
South central Austin. Power out since like 7:30. Weird because I never lost in during storm two years ago. Trees down everywhere. I hear them cracking around the neighborhood every few minutes. Got two 75-100 year old oaks that are getting destroyed.
That’s seriously sad. I hate seeing old trees die. Edit- was watching some local Austin news clips about the storm. They call themselves Central Texas. Austin is not in the geographical center of Texas, it’s 150 miles away. https://goo.gl/maps/EbQ1WYyNhhauVeyp6
Northeast Austin, 2/3 of my oaks snapped — but only 15 years old. Glad I had them trimmed last year or they’d have come down on neighbors roof. A lot of those old Austin neighborhoods don’t have buried lines. And it’s difficult to cut trees in this city.
Welp. Finally lost power. Hope we can stay warm tonight. I've had two mid size branches from old live oaks crash in my yard. My young live oak is bending down hard. I'll probably cut it down in the next few months since the builders planted it 7' from the house and that's not gonna work for a mature oak.
About 32 hours since we lost power but spent the night at a relative's house who had power since the wife was feeling sick. Gonna take the family to Houston today to get pampered at the parents house (mainly having babysitting so we can relax). Spent most of yesterday afternoon clearing my property of fallen branches and chopping them down. Only had a reciprocating saw but it did well enough. No damage to the house or sheds that I can tell. Neighbor took some wood to burn in his gas fireplace. Stupid Austin city council decided to slash the tree trimming budget for years. The power company says they're behind on tree trimming standards by years. Lol what a joke. Useless state and local government.
Dang. We never lost power thankgoodnes....and lucked out with none of our trees snapping. My neighbors with live oaks though, those things droped a whole lot of branches. A lot of frost this morning, but man I'm glad to see all that ice gone.
Lost a cedar elm that has to be at least 100 years old and an old live oak about the same age. None damaged any houses or sheds thankfully. Probably another 25 year old live that toppled over then a ton of branches. Worst time of year to have this happen since this is when oak wilt tends to spread. Still no power in Oak Hill area for going on three days now. Some areas in my neighborhood have power but the street I'm on is still without. PEC outage maps says power should be up by 8:45 but I find that doubtful since no crews are out or assigned here. Gonna be a fun weekend clearing all the debris in the yard.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_crassifolia It's where you are most likely to find the state mushroom of Texas. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorioactis
