The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) remains activated in response to the cold winter weather snap. Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) is coordinating the response to this event with Travis County officials, other City service departments and non-governmental organizations. Critical updates will be posted online at austintexas.gov/alerts in 14 languages. 

With the forecast calling for precipitation and lower temperatures today and a potential for hard freeze Friday night, the City is currently scheduled to operate the 24-hour cold weather shelters until Friday morning and will reactivate on Friday night for an overnight shift.  

The City sheltered 342 community members at the overnight shelters on Wednesday night. Current shelter guests are welcome to stay in the operating facilities throughout the day. New guests will have to wait until this evening to access an overnight shelter by reporting to One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Rd between 6-8 p.m. for registration and transportation to the shelters.

Those seeking a temporary reprieve from the winter weather conditions can access warming centers throughout the day. Service animals are permitted in City facilities.

For additional information, call the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512-972-5055.

In addition to the Alerts page listed above, updates will be posted on @AustinHSEM social media accounts on Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram, and shared on official City of Austin social media accounts. Community members are encouraged to follow their preferred local news media for up-to-date information. HSEM will contact reporters to ensure they have up-to-date information for the public.

The City asks all community members to take necessary actions to protect themselves and other household members, including pets, during this event. Information on preparing for, withstanding, and recovering from a variety of emergencies is available online at ReadyCentralTexas.org.

On the Road  

Low temps, ice, and wintery weather can make driving hazardous. Before driving in inclement weather, be sure to:   

• Approach intersections with caution and always treat dark signals as an all-way stop.
• Check for updated weather conditions.
• Avoid bridges and overpasses.
• Check tire pressure and tread.
• Make sure windshield wipers and lights are functioning.   

Keep a winter emergency kit with the following items in your vehicle: 

• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Ice scraper
• Car cell phone charger
• Cat litter or sand for better tire traction

At Home 

Remember the Four Ps: people, pets, pipes, and plants.

• People: Dress warmly for going outside, and in the case of a power outage, don’t heat your home with an oven, grill, or any gasoline-, propane-, or charcoal-burning device because they generate deadly carbon monoxide gas.
• Pets: Bring your pets inside.
• Pipes: Insulate or cover exposed pipes to protect them from freezing, turn off outside faucets, drip one faucet only if needed, and make sure you know where your water main shutoff is located.
• Plants: Cover your plants or bring them indoors.

Remember the following tips for safely heating your home:

• Space heaters need space. They should be at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Make sure your central heating system is up to date and if not, do your best to have it inspected and serviced before the weather hits.
• Never use kerosene or gas heaters in enclosed spaces.
• Don’t use internal combustion engines inside due to Carbon Monoxide hazards.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.

When to Call 911

We ask the public to NOT call 911 unless they are experiencing a medical or life-threatening emergency. If non-emergency service or assistance from the city is needed, Austinites can call 311. Keeping 911 lines clear for only emergencies will aid the City in properly dispatching first responders and emergency personnel to those who need help.

The public can sign up to receive emergency alerts via text, call and/ or email at WarnCentralTexas.org.

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