The series of winter storms continue to leave Texans struggling with freezing temperatures, power outages, inaccessible transportation, icy roads, along with lack of food and water services completely shut off.
Know someone in need of help? Check out the resources below for more information on how to stay safe during the severe winter weather.
COLD WEATHER SHELTERS: OPERATING 24-HOURS
- Individuals seeking shelter: Palmer Events Center 900 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 7870 (FULL CAPACITY)
- Mendez Middle School: 5106 Village Square Drive
- Reilly Elementary School, 405 Denson Dr, Austin, TX 78752
- Del Valle High School, 5201 Ross Road, Del Valle, TX 78617
- PETS WILL RECEIVE ACCOMMODATIONS THROUGH ANIMAL SERVICES
- If you need to travel to a shelter due to medical needs, call 311 for additional transportation resources.
24/7 HOTLINE FOR MORE INFO ON COLD WEATHER SHELTERS: 512-305-4233
COLD WEATHER SHELTERS: OPERATING 9am-9pm
- AISD opened two warming centers that will operate from 9am-9pm. You cannot stay overnight, and they will have minimal resources on site. Bring your own blankets and supplies:
- Russell Lee Elementary School, 3308 Hampton Rd, Austin, TX 78705
- Murchison Middle School, 3700 N Hills Dr, Austin, TX 78731
- Zavala Elementary, 310 Robert T Martinez Jr St, Austin, TX 78702
- Joslin Elementary, 4500 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745
- Barrington Elementary School – NORTH 400 Cooper Dr in 78753
CapMetro CONTINUES LIMITED SERVICES FRIDAY 2/19. OVER THE WEEKEND, SERVICES WILL BEGIN AT 10AM-7PM. NORMAL HOURS RETURN MONDAY 2/22
- See available routes and get more details now:
#CapMetro will continue limited services Friday, February 19, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Only routes listed below are in service & frequencies will be limited.
Please check https://t.co/PZxfInUUBT for specifics. pic.twitter.com/gknrNtRGBr
— CapMetro (@CapMetroATX) February 19, 2021
FREE FOOD AND WATER
- Supplies of water plus free food are being provided to the public thanks to restaurants, local companies and disaster relief organizations.
- Find the full list of places offering warm meals and water across the city via CBS Austin and KXAN.
AUSTINITES NEED YOUR HELP
- Make a donation to the Emergency Donation Drive to help those in need of food, water, shelter, clothing:
UPDATE ON AUSTIN ENERGY/ LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CITY’S POWER OUTAGES
- Get notifications + view outage map to stay informed during outages.
- Austin Energy has restored power to about 92% of its customers, those who have been left without power the longest are Austin Energy’s current priority.
ERCOT operations have returned to normal, and we are no longer asking for energy conservation. Thanks for helping the grid during this very difficult time.
— ERCOT (@ERCOT_ISO) February 19, 2021
HOW TO STAY WARM DURING POWER OUTAGES
BOIL WATER NOTICE
- Due to power loss, a city-wide boil water notice has been issued
- Wondering if the water is safe to drink? Get more details on where boil water notices are in effect
- Boil cooking and drinking water to avoid bacteria and microbes
- Bring to a rolling boil then boil for another two minutes
- Brush your teeth with already boiled water or bottled water
- If you’re washing dishes during the boil water notice, use really hot and soapy water
- You can also add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution
- Have more questions or concerns? Find out more.
KEEP UP WITH ROAD CONDITIONS
Road conditions are severe right now and TxDOT is here to provide you with up-to-date travel-related information.
- Make sure if you’re traveling, drive before sunset and avoid overpasses + high roadways and bridges
- Use an elevated vehicle rather than a small car, if possible
- Main routes are currently being cleared by Austin Transportation, Watershed Protection and Fleet Services departments, Public Works and will continue throughout Thursday 2/18 and Friday 2/19
SOURCES TO FOLLOW: KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST CITY UPDATES ON TWITTER
