Austin weather: Emergency operations center activated due to arctic blast

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center is now activated due to winter weather in Central Texas. Williamson County has done the same.

"Stay inside if at all possible, if you don't have a reason to be out, enjoy the holiday, but do that inside and don't be out on the roads," says Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

Mayor Kirk Watson and city and county officials announced the joint Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center had been activated as of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14.

"To be ready for what else this freeze might bring us, for example, with freezing drizzle and freezing rain we could experience significant effects on bridges and elevated roadways," says Mayor Kirk Watson.

"Travis County's Office of Emergency Management continues to coordinate the readiness and response efforts through all of our Travis County departments, as well as communicating with 21 cities, towns, and villages across Travis County," says Travis County Judge Andy Brown.

The mayor says with the winter weather advisory in effect, the city is focused on the most vulnerable populations.

"In cold weather overnight shelters we welcomed over 200 people, and we are prepared to assist more people during this storm. We need to protect people, pets, pipes, and plants. Please check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and those that you know are vulnerable. If you haven't already done it, now is the time to check and assemble an emergency supply kit," says Mayor Kirk Watson.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown says to also make sure that you have an emergency supply kit for your car if you decide to hit the road in the freezing conditions.

"If you are out, go really slowly, please and give yourself a lot of distance to hit the brakes, slow down, have space between you and the car in front of you. If you have to go out somewhere, remember to dress in layers and wear a hat, scarf and gloves to prevent hypothermia and frostbite," says Judge Andy Brown.

According to FOX 7 Austin chief meteorologist Scott Fisher, bitter cold arctic air continues to pour into Texas. This is the coldest air of the season, by far.

Additionally, there may be a period of overnight freezing drizzle or even freezing rain. Accumulations would be very light and primarily on bridges and overpasses. Nevertheless, even just a little bit of ice can be extremely hazardous to drive on.

When we factor in the wind, feels-like temperatures will likely plunge into the single digits, with a few spots with wind chills below zero.

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

If you have not signed up to receive emergency alerts on your phone, please visit WarnCentralTexas.org to register. Alerts can be sent via text, call, and/or email.

The City will provide updates throughout the EOC activation and notify members of the media accordingly as well. Please stay safe and be resilient.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY

In response to the Winter Weather Advisory and possible icy conditions, Williamson County Office of Emergency Management has opened the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

According to the City, Williamson County’s Road and Bridge Division will be checking pavement temperatures and possible icing throughout the night. Their main concern is elevated surfaces, including bridges and overpasses. Crews are on call to treat county roads and bridges with sand and de-icing material.  

In case of power outages, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office will open the doors of their headquarters, 508 Rock Street in Georgetown, as a warming and charging station for those without power. That warming and charging station will remain open as long as it is needed. 

A list of warming centers is available on the Texas Division of Emergency Management website at www.tdem.texas.gov/warm.

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