From Austin Energy:

1/17/07 – 8:15 a.m.

Austin Energy System Report

Almost 6,000 Austin Energy customers are without power at this hour and it appears the total will continue to increase.

The number of outages has almost tripled since 7:00 a.m. as freezing rain continues, adding additional ice to tree limbs. The majority of outages involve tree limbs pressing against power lines.

A pattern of outages has also emerged. The majority of the outages are concentrated west of Mopac and north of the river. This encompasses areas of town with generally older and larger trees.

Austin Energy has 39 repair crews in service assisted by 26 contract tree trimming crews.

Austin Energy anticipates additional outages throughout the day as long as freezing rain continues and temperatures remain below freezing.

Austin Energy customers should report all outages to 322-9100. This automated line is capable of handling 1,500 outage calls simultaneously.

UPDATE: As of after 1pm, the above number has been almost halved to some 3,500 customers without power.

This article appears in January 12 • 2007.

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