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On day four without power, Justin Havird and Vernon, 2, build with Lego bricks at the Austin Central Library on Feb. 4, 2023.

“Hunting for warm places to go”: Austinites cope as outages linger

While families search for warmth, light and distractions, line workers race to restore normal life.

Austin Energy crew leader Forrest Gifford and spokesperson Matt Mitchell watch as line worker Brian Behrens prepares power lines for re-energization on Feb. 4, 2023.

Line crews grapple a heavy workload

P.D Perry Jr. looks at the dead plants in his backyard garden in South Austin on Feb. 4, 2023. Nearly all of the plants in Perry's garden died from the freeze, and he expects he will have to start over.

Relying on the kindness of neighbors

Aaron Taylor and his son Leo, 11, move a large tree limb from their backyard to the side of the road for pickup, in south Austin on Feb. 4, 2023. Taylor and his family had spent the day clearing out the back and side yards of bigger fallen tree limbs, while waiting for power to be restored to their home.

Stately trees took the brunt of the ice storm

Robert Louvet in his living room at his home in south Austin on Feb. 4, 2023. Louvet, who has lived in the neighborhood with his wife for 35 years, has kept warm for the past four days while power is out by using gas systems in their home.

Lost groceries means lost money

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