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North Austin News

Monday, December 23, 2024

City's Response to Winter Storm Heather

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City Of Austin | City Of Austin website

City Of Austin | City Of Austin website

On Sunday, January 13, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) activated the Emergency Operations Center in partnership with Travis County Office of Emergency Management. HSEM staff has been working tirelessly to ensure coordination between departments and agencies in order to prioritize life safety, transportation access to hospitals, and shelter support for people experiencing homelessness. HSEM has also been working closely with NGOs and community organizations to support emergency response efforts.

Austin's Transportation and Public Works Department took proactive measures before the storm by pre-treating more than 30 bridges and elevated roadways to reduce ice accumulation. TxDOT also pre-treated all major highways and roads that receive high amounts of traffic. These efforts helped to reduce the risk of vehicle accidents, although there were still some incidents. The Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Austin/Travis County EMS responded to vehicle crashes during the storm, but fortunately, none of the injuries were considered life-threatening.

Despite the severe weather conditions, Austin Energy experienced minimal outages, maintaining a relatively stable power supply. Austin Water systems remained healthy and operational throughout the storm.

The Austin Police Department expressed their gratitude to all the first responders and City departments that worked tirelessly during the winter storm. They provided assistance to shelters and warming centers, patrolled roadways to ensure they were drivable, and responded to various crashes. The department also thanked the community for following all recommendations provided prior and during the winter storm.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) conducted outreach efforts before the storm to assist vulnerable individuals. They made contact with 78 people and relocated two to shelters. ATCEMS Medics responded to a total of 1,323 incidents during the storm, including traffic injuries and environmental exposures. The ATCEMS SPARTAN drone program assisted in locating individuals and providing overwatch for the Community Health Paramedics on the ground.

The Austin Fire Department (AFD) responded to multiple incidents related to the weather event. They received over 3,600 unique requests for service, ranging from assisting with fire extinguishers to issues with smoke detectors. AFD also dealt with various fire incidents, including grass and brush fires, residential fires, and structure fires. Additionally, they responded to calls related to frozen water pipes, water pressure issues, and broken water pipes.

As of 12 p.m. today, the City is deactivating the Emergency Operations Center media line in response to Winter Storm Heather. The Emergency Operation Center will remain open through Sunday to complete administrative functions.

Throughout the storm, the City of Austin provided important resources and updates through various websites and social media platforms, including the City of Austin Alerts Page, Austin Disaster Recovery Resources, Ready Central Texas, Austin Energy Alerts, Austin 311, and Austin Resource Recovery.

The City's response to Winter Storm Heather has showcased the dedication and coordination of various departments and agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of the community. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, the City's proactive measures and collaborative efforts have helped to mitigate the impact and provide necessary support to those in need.

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