As Austin battled record low temperatures this past weekend, city officials responded by opening cold weather shelters for those in need. Mayor Kirk Watson held a news conference to say a record number of over 600 people sought refuge from the numbing temperatures at one of the seven emergency shelters set up by the city, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
Making it through the icy grip, officials have called this freeze an historic event, with Austin and Travis County leaders updating on the relentless arctic front which necessitated the extreme measures. The National Weather Service put forth a wind chill warning, a rare occurrence, which Watson stated during the press briefing, as temperatures plunged to 16 degrees with even lower wind chills, stated in Austin American-Statesman.
"It looks like the worst is behind us," Watson declared, offering a glimmer of hope after days of frigid weather. Advising caution, he encouraged people to continue dressing warmly and to protect "the four P's: people, pets, pipes and plants." as per Austin American-Statesman.
Amidst the freeze, access to shelters was critical, and city officials outlined the process for seeking assistance. For those needing shelter, registration took place between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, with city-provided transportation to the shelters available thereafter, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
