AUSTIN (KXAN) — In a press conference Thursday, Travis County said it was pursuing a disaster declaration, in conjunction with the City of Austin, due to the amount of cleanup as a result of the winter storm.

Furthermore, officials said one of the reasons it is taking so long to restore power is the trees and tree limbs keep falling on power lines after they were previously restored by Austin Energy crews.

Since the ice started melting Thursday, the tree branches and tree limbs are snapping as they continue to thaw out, officials said.

More than 100 crews were coming to assist in restoration efforts, officials said.

Austin Energy said it determined it was unable to provide a specific system-wide restoration estimate. The utility originally said it expected to have all power restored by Friday evening, but “more ice than anticipated occurred as a result of this storm.”

During the press conference, officials said the main issue was the ice and the weight on tree branches.

“This is a dynamic situation and change is inevitable but Austin Energy must give folks clear and accurate info so they can plan accordingly,” Mayor Kirk Watson tweeted Thursday afternoon. Council members Alison Alter and Vanessa Fuentes also called Thursday for a briefing next week on Austin Energy’s storm response.

“The majority of the outages from this winter storm are complex involving heavy construction equipment in areas that are sometimes impassable due to downed trees and branches. As an added challenge, we’re also continuing to experience repeated outages meaning ice, trees and tree limbs continue to knock out power to the same circuits crews just restored,” Austin Energy said, noting when it initially gave an estimate, it felt “fairly confident” about it, but new information led it to not put a specific time on it.

With icy winter weather conditions across Central Texas, some areas started losing power early Wednesday morning.

Mutual aid from other utilities has arrived to assist, according to an Austin Energy spokesperson.

Mayor Pro Tem Paige Ellis said in a tweet she spoke with Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent who confirmed the utility has to prioritize by critical need, like fire and EMS stations along with hospitals.

Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) said in a news release Thursday its crews continue working to repair poles and downed wires and remove tree limbs.

Updates on power restoration for PEC customers can be found at this website.

“Where with Uri we saw snow and lack of generation on the system, this storm has brought significant impact to the infrastructure,” Eddie Dauterive PEC chief operations officer said. “We have had significant ice on the system, with the most recent batch of showers adding even more.”

Here’s a list of power outages in the area. This list will continue to be updated.

Below is a running list of the number of customers without power from each service provider:

Saturday

9 p.m.

Austin Energy: 53,781

Oncor: 8,134

Bluebonnet: 0

Pedernales: 11,481

8 p.m.

Austin Energy: 53,611

Oncor: 9,356

Bluebonnet: 0

Pedernales: 11,824

5 p.m.

Austin Energy: 62,555

Oncor: 13,192

Bluebonnet: 4

Pedernales: 6,864

4 p.m.

Austin Energy: 65,707

Oncor: 13,247

Bluebonnet: 2

Pedernales: 7,503

3 p.m.

Austin Energy: 67,690

Oncor: 12,862

Bluebonnet: 10

Pedernales: 7,804

2 p.m.

Austin Energy: 69,167

Oncor: 8,997

Bluebonnet: 46

Pedernales: 9,943

1 p.m.

Austin Energy: 71,266

Oncor: 9,147

Bluebonnet: 212

Pedernales: 10,744

12 p.m.

Austin Energy: 73,349

Oncor: 9,234

Bluebonnet: 159

Pedernales: 10,265

11 a.m.

Austin Energy: 75,485

Oncor: 9,390

Bluebonnet: 123

Pedernales: 10,890

9:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 76,908

Oncor: 9,460

Bluebonnet: 82

Pedernales: 12,708

8:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 76,869

Oncor: 8,853

Bluebonnet: 102

Pedernales: 12,646

7:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 76,944

Oncor: 8,846

Bluebonnet: 102

Pedernales: 11,450

6:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 76,991

Oncor: 8,665

Bluebonnet: 118

Pedernales: 11,769

Friday

8:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 102,196

Oncor: 16,104

Bluebonnet: 860

Pedernales: 18,186

2 p.m.

Austin Energy: 115,930

Oncor: 20,876

Bluebonnet: 2,089

Pedernales: 22,721

1:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 117,714

Oncor: 21,277

Bluebonnet: 2,131

Pedernales: 21,837

1 p.m.

Austin Energy: 117,364

Oncor: 21,221

Bluebonnet: 2,228

Pedernales: 21,934

12:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 118,895

Oncor: 21,309

Bluebonnet: 2,332

Pedernales: 22,333

11:45 a.m.

Austin Energy: 119,521

Oncor: 29,000

Bluebonnet: 651

Pedernales: 20,090

11 a.m.

Austin Energy: 121,790

Oncor: 23,424

Bluebonnet: 2,446

Pedernales: 23,363

10:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 121,599

Oncor: 23,426

Bluebonnet: 2,476

Pedernales: 23,521

10 a.m.

Austin Energy: 122,535

Oncor: 23,633

Bluebonnet: 2,588

Pedernales: 23,488

9:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 122,040

Oncor: 23,090

Bluebonnet: 2,631

Pedernales: 24,151

9 a.m.

Austin Energy: 122,893

Oncor: 23,389

Bluebonnet: 2,639

Pedernales: 24,046

8:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 123,183

Oncor: 23,455

Bluebonnet: 2,634

Pedernales: 23,545

8 a.m.

Austin Energy: 122,781

Oncor: 23,410

Bluebonnet: 2,628

Pedernales: 23,503

7:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 122,535

Oncor: 23,689

Bluebonnet: 2,752

Pedernales: 23,544

7 a.m.

Austin Energy: 121,998

Oncor: 24,252

Bluebonnet: 2,939

Pedernales: 23,125

6:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 119,742

Oncor: 24,419

Bluebonnet: 2,976

Pedernales: 23,098

6 a.m.

Austin Energy: 121,411

Oncor: 24,274

Bluebonnet: 2,981

Pedernales: 23,427

5:45 a.m.

Austin Energy: 123,009

Oncor: 24,378

Bluebonnet: 3,020

Pedernales: 23,512

5:20 a.m.

Austin Energy: 125,224

Oncor: 24,120

Bluebonnet: 3,117

Pedernales: 23,437

Thursday

10:45 p.m.

Austin Energy: 141,289

Oncor: 99,693

Bluebonnet: 8,329

Pedernales: 47,006

8:45 p.m.

Austin Energy: 144,606

Oncor: 104,358

Bluebonnet: 5,011

Pedernales: 50,675

6 p.m.

Austin Energy: 147,197

Oncor: 32,190

Bluebonnet: 5,728

Pedernales: 54,141

5:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 146,576

Oncor: 32,830

Bluebonnet: 6,079

Pedernales: 47,006

5 p.m.

Austin Energy: 148,695

Oncor: 33,318

Bluebonnet: 6,178

Pedernales: 48,717

4:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 146,479

Oncor: 34,435

Bluebonnet: 6,576

Pedernales: 47,899

4:10 p.m.

Austin Energy provided a fuller picture of why it couldn’t provide a specific estimate for when power will be restored. Earlier, it had said Friday evening, which it said it was “fairly confident” about “based on what we knew at the time.” Now, it said “more ice than anticipated occurred” and it has a better idea now that it’s done on-site inspections around the city.

“The majority of the outages from this winter storm are complex involving heavy construction equipment in areas that are sometimes impassable due to downed trees and branches. As an added challenge, we’re also continuing to experience repeated outages meaning ice, trees and tree limbs continue to knock out power to the same circuits crews just restored,” Austin Energy said.

It added some issues may require homeowners to have electricians come out to fix problems before it can turn the power back on.

Austin Energy is also asking those without power to help prepare for when it is restored. It wants to avoid “cold load pickup,” a phenomenon where items plugged in and left on before an outage can overload a circuit when it comes back on, that it said could cause a second outage.

People should:

Turn off thermostats

Turn off/unplug fixtures or appliances

Leave on only one light, which will help them know when power is back

4 p.m.

Liberty Hill said it appears power is back. “We are not expecting ongoing initiated outages, but warming and charging centers are on standby and will be announced if needed.”

3:45 p.m.

The City of Liberty Hill wrote on Facebook it’s working to open warming centers after outages in the Seward Junction area, near U.S. Highway 183 and State Highway 29.

“ERCOT ordered LCRA to initiate a power outage in the Seward Junction area. The outage was taken without advanced notice to PEC. At this time, PEC does not know how long the outage will last,” it wrote.

It also said it doesn’t expect water to be an issue but that people should reduce the amount of water they put down drains and times they flush the toilet because “the grinder pumps run on electricity and we need to conserve to avoid backup.”

Stoplights are also out along SH 29.

3:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 148,584

Oncor: 35,427

Bluebonnet: 6,670

Pedernales: 58,496

3 p.m.

Austin Energy: 152,340

Oncor: 37,318

Bluebonnet: 6,792

Pedernales: 66,193

2:30 p.m.

“Each individual outage has unique challenges and full restoration will take longer than initially anticipated. At this time, we are unable to provide a restoration time,” Austin Energy said.

Austin Energy: 152,800

Oncor: 37,057

Bluebonnet: 7,131

Pedernales: 75,916

2 p.m.

Austin Energy: 152,523

Oncor: 38,601

Bluebonnet: 6,987

Pedernales: 80,216

1:30 p.m.

Austin Energy said more than 100 crews were in service and it was expecting more crews from Houston to arrive this afternoon.

Austin Energy: 153,119

Oncor: 40,096

Bluebonnet: 7,195

Pedernales: 80,786

1 p.m.

Austin Energy: 153,309

Oncor: 40,313

Bluebonnet: 7,127

Pedernales: 77,628

12:45 p.m.

Austin Energy: 155,774

Oncor: 40,200

Bluebonnet: 7,736

Pedernales: 75,552

12:15 p.m.

Austin Energy: 155,181

Oncor: 39,139

Bluebonnet: 7,966

“Temps are rising, ice is melting and crews are making progress to restore power to nearly 7,500 members in 500 outages,” Bluebonnet Electric said. “Outages will continue to be lengthy as crews repair downed lines, remove tree limbs and repair equipment.

Pedernales: 52,217

8:55 a.m.

5 a.m.

Austin Energy: 156,000

Oncor: 51,000

Bluebonnet: 7,700

Pedernales: 20,400

Wednesday

10:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 154,708

Oncor: 122,400

Bluebonnet: 13,007

Pedernales: 384,874

7 p.m.

Austin Energy: 155,977

Oncor: 44,691

Bluebonnet: 13,569

Pedernales: 29,771

6:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 158,309

Oncor: 46,615

Bluebonnet: 13,676

Pedernales: 17,419

6 p.m.

Austin Energy: 155,850

Oncor: 41,840

Bluebonnet: 10,984

Pedernales: 19,509

Snapped trees and toppled power lines in Georgetown due to ice storm. (Courtesy: Courtney)

5 p.m.

Austin Energy: 164,311

Oncor: 43,665

Bluebonnet: 10,845

Pedernales: 20,174

4 p.m.

Austin Energy: 166,746

Oncor: 42,481

Bluebonnet: 11,006

Pedernales: 20,936

3 p.m.

Austin Energy: 171,095 customers without power

Oncor: 33,062 customers affected

Bluebonnet: 10,278 without power

2:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 162,891

Oncor: 24,821

Bluebonnet: 7,561

2 p.m.

Austin Energy: 160,869

Oncor: 22,138

Bluebonnet: 8,790

“Ice and tree limbs are still breaking as our lineworkers are working on restoration. Our crews are making progress, but there is still a lot to do and we’re are working as quickly and safely as possible,” Austin Energy said in a tweet.

1:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 164,506

Oncor: 19,758

Bluebonnet: 9,894

1 p.m.

Austin Energy: 157,606

Oncor: 19,372

Bluebonnet: 9,736

12:30 p.m.

Austin Energy: 162,381

Oncor: 21,248

Bluebonnet: 9,404

12 p.m.

Austin Energy: 146,616

Oncor: 18,500

Bluebonnet: 9,108

“There are multiple service interruptions across our service area. Please be patient as our crews are encountering icy conditions but are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore service,” Pedernales Electric Cooperative said.

11:30 a.m.

Austin Energy tweeted it was working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

“These outages are due to severe winter weather & are not related to a statewide grid issue,” Austin Energy said. “Ice is accumulating on power lines, utility poles and tree limbs leading to power outages.”

Austin Energy: 147,258

Oncor: 18,497

Bluebonnet: 6,098

11 a.m.

Austin Energy: 148,077

Oncor: 20,441

Bluebonnet: 7,919

10:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 145,485

Oncor: 22,257

Bluebonnet: 8,779

10 a.m.

Austin Energy reports 140,356 customers are without power.

9 a.m.

Austin Energy tweeted that it’s possible some customers may be without power for 12-24 hours. To read about how Austin Energy restores power, click here.

Austin Energy: 134,687

Oncor: 23,709

Bluebonnet: 8,264

Pedernales: 7,341

7:45 a.m.

Austin Energy: 122,414 without power

Oncor: 23,672

Bluebonnet: 12,328

Pedernales: 10,103

7:15 a.m.

Austin Energy: 100,462 without power.

6:45 a.m.

Austin Energy: 92,623

Oncor: 22,576

Bluebonnet: 7,162

Pedernales: 6,616

6:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 84,268

Oncor: 17,118

Bluebonnet: 6,605

Pedernales: 5,489

6 a.m.

Austin Energy: 66,759

Oncor: 9,289

Bluebonnet: 5,820

Pedernales: 5,344

5:30 a.m.

Austin Energy: 52,070

Oncor: 9,358

Pedernales: 3,898

Bluebonnet: 3,724

5:15 a.m.

Austin Energy: 51,908

Pedernales: 3,547

Oncor: 3,149

Bluebonnet: 2,115

5 a.m.

Austin Energy: 46,140

Pedernales: 3,600

Oncor: 2,438

Bluebonnet: 1,765

4:45 a.m.

Austin Energy: 36,985 without power.

Pedernales: 3,261

Bluebonnet: 1,559

Oncor: 1,369

4:15 a.m.

Austin Energy: 28,547

Bluebonnet: 1,555 covering Austin, San Marcos, Taylor

Pedernales: 1,482 covering Round Rock, Buda, Blanco

Oncor: 713 covering Pflugerville, Round Rock, Hutto, Thrall

3:45 a.m.

Austin Energy reports 16,742 customers without power.

3:15 a.m.

Austin Energy reports 5,260 customers without power.

2:30 a.m.

Austin Energy reports 400 customers affected by outage near Oak Hill. One or more crews have been assigned according to the agency. It said at the time power should be restored by 4 a.m.