200 city-owned cars were damaged
By Maggie Q. Thompson, 2:16PM, Wed. Oct. 4, 2023
Hail from the Sept. 24 storm (Photo by Maggie Q. Thompson)
The Sept. 24 storm that barraged Austin with golf ball- and baseball-sized hail caused roughly a quarter million dollars in damage to city-owned vehicles and buildings, a city spokesperson told the Chronicle Wednesday.
The city is still assessing the extent of the damage and associated costs, but staff estimate that roughly 200 vehicles, or 2% of the city’s fleet, sustained damage, mostly in the form of broken windshields and dents. Ballpark, they predict the damage will total $150,000.
The city’s preliminary estimate includes another $88,000 in damage to buildings – hail broke a skylight at the Austin Fire Department’s Fire Station #14, several rooftop solar panels at Austin Energy’s Mueller headquarters were smashed, and the Combined Transportation, Emergency, and Communications Center sustained roof damage, among other damages.
The city is focusing on repairs related to safety first, so they’re starting with broken glass, a spokesperson said.
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