Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Twitter
Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Twitter
The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) is set to activate at 7 a.m. on Monday, January 20, in response to the winter weather affecting Central Texas. The Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) in Austin is leading the coordination efforts with various city departments and non-governmental organizations. Updates will be available online at austintexas.gov/alerts in multiple languages.
Due to the closure of city facilities for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and low temperatures, the city will operate Cold Weather Shelters around the clock starting Monday. Those staying in shelters Sunday night can remain there throughout Monday and check out on Tuesday. If individuals leave on Monday, they must re-register for Monday night at One Texas Center. The shelters are scheduled to be open from Saturday, January 18 through Wednesday, January 22.
Additionally, three branches of the Austin Public Library will open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to provide warmth during the day. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Central Library downtown will open an hour early at 8 a.m., while other branches will serve as Warming Centers during regular hours.
The Emergency Operations Center will stay active until further notice. Updates will also be shared via @AustinHSEM social media accounts and official City of Austin platforms. HSEM is working with reporters to ensure public access to current information.
A Cold Weather Advisory from the National Weather Service is effective until noon on Wednesday, January 22, alongside a Winter Storm Warning starting at 6 p.m. on Monday through Tuesday evening.
HSEM advises residents to take precautions for themselves and their pets during this period. Information about emergency preparedness can be found at ReadyCentralTexas.org.
Residents are reminded not to call 911 unless facing a medical or life-threatening emergency but instead use 311 or contact specific numbers for other services.
For those who haven't registered for emergency alerts via phone, registration is available at WarnCentralTexas.org.
The City urges everyone to prioritize safety by protecting people, pets, pipes, and plants during this time.
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