Spencer Cronk, city manager since 2018, fell out of favor after the recent ice storm disrupted power for days.
Austin
Posted in
Environment
Austin shelters weren’t prepared for outages despite lessons from 2021 winter storm, advocates say
Activists who work with unhoused people noted improvements in the city’s planning and coordination, but said shelters were difficult to reach for some and couldn’t accommodate families with children.
Posted in
Environment
A new winter storm and old problems raise questions about Austin leaders’ response to crises
As newly elected Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and a City Council with an array of fresh faces review their first major crisis, the city’s top officials once again find themselves trying to figure out why the city botched its response to a significant weather event.
Posted in
Energy
How freezing rain, tree-lined neighborhoods and above-ground power lines prolonged Austin power outages
Tens of thousands of Austin households and businesses went days without electricity after a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas.
Posted in
Environment
Austin city manager’s job could be on the line after winter storm response
Austin City Council members will evaluate Spencer Cronk’s employment during their Thursday meeting. Cronk was hired in 2017.
Posted in
Energy
Some Austin homes may not get electricity back for another week, city says
Nearly 95% of the city has electricity after last week’s winter storm. But Austin Energy says the remaining outages are the most complex and time-consuming.
Posted in
Economy
Austin makes progress restoring power, but tens of thousands still without
The city originally said it would restore all power by 6 p.m. Friday. But more than 57,000 customers are still without electricity Saturday night.
Posted in
Energy
“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.
Posted in
Energy
Gov. Greg Abbott issues disaster declaration for Texas ice storm
Abbott declared disaster in seven Texas counties hard hit by this week’s winter storm. Austin has been the epicenter of a power crisis as tens of thousands wait for electricity to be restored.
Posted in
TribCast
TribCast: Is Texas uniquely bad at disaster preparedness?
In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with University of Texas at Austin professor Michael Webber and environment reporter Erin Douglas about the state’s widespread power outages.
