Prepare for Extreme Winter Weather This Holiday Week

The City of Austin Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) encourages the community to prepare for winter weather as the temperature drops ahead of the holiday weekend. Don’t wait for the freeze, get ready now!  

“The most important gift you can give your family this season is to get prepared in advance of anticipated chilly temperatures,” said HSEM Director Juan Ortiz. “As you prepare for time with your loved ones please make sure you included winter weather preparations as part of your holiday weekend plans.”  

Austinites are asked to follow the four P’s for winter weather safety:  

• People – Before going outside, dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold. While heating your home, do not use a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, or charcoal-burning device because they generate deadly carbon monoxide gas 

• Pets – Bring your pets inside to keep them warm and safe  

• Pipes – Insulate or cover exposed pipes to protect them from freezing, turn off outside faucets, drip ONE faucet only if needed 

• Plants – cover your plants or bring them in  

“The current weather forecast does not call for precipitation or ice, so our concern right now is frigid temperatures and making sure our most vulnerable populations have resources,” said HSEM Deputy Director Aoife Longmore. “We are monitoring conditions and will be standing by over the holiday weekend with additional resources that can be activated as needed. We currently do not anticipate a need for widespread emergency sheltering for our community this weekend.”

Stay informed and get prepared before the weekend: 

• Download the Ready Central Texas phone application for iPhone or Android phones to get alerts and a digital copy of the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide 

• The most important thing community can do is to get prepared and stay informed:  Sign up at Warn Central Texas to receive alerts for your neighborhood, letting you know when to take immediate action to stay safe 

• In an emergency, follow www.austintexas.gov/alerts to get up to date emergency information in multiple languages  

• Follow @AustinHSEM on Facebook and Twitter 

• Make a Plan: Before an emergency sit down with your family to plan out what you may need to shelter at home or what you need if you have to evacuate. Use the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide to help you get started.  

• Build a Kit: Once you know your plan and have your supply list, build a kit of needed emergency supplies in a go-bag so it can be used quickly. Include items like medication, pet supplies and use a check list to help get started.  

• Know your Neighbors: In an emergency, your neighbors are the closest resource and ecan often be the fastest to respond. Making friends with your neighbors can also have more benefits than just during an emergency. 

• Stay Informed: There are many ways to stay informed before, during and after an emergency. Follow readycentraltexas.org for emergency preparedness information.

Visit readycentraltexas.org for more emergency preparedness information and recommendations from City of Austin utility partners to keep you, your family, home and neighbors safe and warm this winter.   

To receive emergency alerts in American Sign Language (ASL) register through the City’s Accessible Hazard Alert System (AHAS), or for quick SMS registration text AHAS to (737) 241-3710. Austin and Travis County AHAS subscribers in an area affected by an emergency or disaster will be able to receive an accessible alert message in ASL and English voice and text.  

When Cold Weather Shelters for people experiencing homelessness are activated this hotline will be updated with shelter details: Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512-305-ICEE (4233).  

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