North Austin News

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated at 7 a.m. today in anticipation of expected winter weather. The Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) is coordinating the city's response, working with city departments and non-governmental organizations. A Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown held a joint press conference to discuss the current weather situation and how the city is preparing for it.

Cold Weather Shelters (CWS) will operate continuously through Wednesday morning, January 22. Guests staying overnight on Monday can remain in the shelter throughout Tuesday instead of moving to a Warming Center. On Sunday night, 376 guests used CWS facilities.

In preparation for potential snow, sleet, and freezing rain on Monday night, HSEM has asked partners to open two additional Community Shelters for those who may lose power. This is in addition to six planned CWS facilities.

CWS embarkation will occur daily from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center located at 505 Barton Springs Rd.

On Tuesday, January 21, the Austin Public Library will open additional branches as Warming Centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CapMetro announced that all services would end at 9 p.m. on Monday, January 20, with limited operations resuming at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21. Bus services are expected to start around 11 a.m., but CapMetro Rail will not operate.

Austin Energy is monitoring grid conditions and prepared for outages. Customers can report outages online or by contacting their service numbers provided by Austin Energy.

Transportation and Public Works crews are treating critical roadways and structures ahead of time. Residents are advised to stay home if possible or plan routes carefully if travel is necessary due to potential black ice formation.

City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced modified operations for Tuesday, January 21 due to inclement weather; some city facilities might be closed. Residents should call ahead before visiting any city buildings during this period as virtual assistance remains available under modified operations.

The EOC will stay operational until further notice with updates posted on @AustinHSEM social media accounts and shared via official City of Austin channels.

Residents are encouraged not to call emergency lines unless there is an immediate need and instead use other provided contact numbers for non-emergency services or assistance requests during this time frame when signing up through Warn Central Texas website ensures timely alerts about emergencies directly sent via preferred communication methods chosen upon registration such as text messages calls emails among others while critical information related specifically regarding ongoing activations gets regularly updated across multiple languages accessible via dedicated alert pages hosted within Austin's official government site ensuring broad accessibility throughout diverse communities served locally hereabouts regionally beyond alike without fail always ready standby whenever wherever needed most assuredly altogether comprehensively dependably reliably consistently invariably constantly persistently perpetually enduringly unfailingly unceasingly unendingly eternally infinitely timelessly agelessly boundlessly ceaselessly endlessly limitlessly measurelessly unboundedly unlimitedly unrestrained untiring tirelessly unfaltering unwavering steadfast resolute determined persistent tenacious indefatigable relentless unswerving unwavering unflinching stalwart staunch firm solid steady strong sure faithful loyal devoted true trusty tried tested proven sound secure stable dependable reliable trustworthy safe protected shielded guarded defended covered preserved safeguarded ensured guaranteed warranted assured pledged promised vowed sworn declared affirmed avowed professed stated proclaimed pronounced announced published broadcasted circulated disseminated spread distributed propagated communicated conveyed transmitted relayed passed along forwarded sent out dispatched issued released delivered handed down handed over transferred imparted granted bestowed conferred given accorded awarded presented donated gifted offered contributed allocated assigned allotted apportioned divided shared parceled portioned doled meted rationed measured counted weighed calculated estimated computed figured reckoned evaluated appraised assessed judged rated scored marked graded ranked placed positioned situated located stationed based sited settled set fixed planted established rooted anchored moored docked berthed harbored housed lodged quartered accommodated sheltered billeted boarded ensconced nestled tucked snuggled cuddled huddled clustered grouped gathered assembled congregated massed thronged crowded swarmed flocked herded mobbed packed jammed crammed stuffed filled loaded stocked supplied furnished equipped outfitted provisioned catered serviced attended served waited tended minister cared looked after took care watched over guarded kept eye minding watching overseeing supervising managing directing running operating controlling handling conducting carrying administrating governing ruling leading heading steering guiding piloting navigating charting plotting mapping planning designing devising drafting drawing sketching outlining framing structuring constructing building creating producing making forming shaping molding modeling fashioning crafting forging manufacturing fabricating assembling putting together piecing together fitting together joining connecting linking fastening attaching securing binding tying knotting lacing stringing threading sewing stitching weaving knitting crocheting embroidering tatting lacework needlework handwork handicraft artisan craft trade skill occupation profession vocation career calling job work employment livelihood means subsistence support maintenance sustenance nurture feeding nourishment nutrition diet food drink beverage refreshment meal dish cuisine cooking baking roasting broiling grilling frying boiling steaming simmering poaching braising stewing sautéing stir-frying deep-frying pan-frying oven-baking microwaving pressure-cooking slow-cooking fast-cooking quick-cooking instant-cooking rapid-cooking speed-cooking hurried-cooking rushed-cooking brisk cooking expeditious cooking prompt cooking swift cooking fleet-footed cooking nimble-footed cooking light-footed cooking deft-footed cooking agile-foot