With winter's chill fast approaching, Austin and Travis County officials are bracing for potential severe weather, urging residents to also make preparations. In a recent tabletop Weather Preparedness Exercise, cities' agencies reviewed disaster plans and acknowledged the need for improved community communication. "It's that time of year where we start thinking about this in earnest and we want everyone to be thinking about it at the same time," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson told FOX7 Austin.
To bolster resilience, Austin Water has installed backup generators at critical facilities, and is offering residents free winterization supplies, like water valve shut-off keys and hose bib covers, starting next week at city service centers. "We'd like to invite everyone to stop by a city of Austin Utility Customer Service Center next week to pick up some free supplies," Anna Bryan-Borja, Austin Water’s Assistant Director for Business Services, announced in a statement obtained by FOX7 Austin.
Austin Energy isn't staying idle either, actively trimming trees away from power lines and working on insulating and securing them. However, the utility admits that the task is ongoing and comprehensive weatherproofing will take time. "We're prepared," Bob Kahn, General Manager of Austin Energy, confidently told Austin American-Statesman.
Preparation extends beyond government agencies with officials reminding residents to also get ready for winter extremes. Plans should include seven days of essentials, medications, pet supplies, and a winter weather kit for vehicles. Austin Energy suggests to unplugging appliances to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored. Emphasizing the message for individual readiness, Travis County Judge Andy Brown said, "A little bit of attention now will save a lot of headaches later on when making preparations. Keep in mind, those four P's: people, pets, plants and pipes," as per the statements he made in a FOX7 Austin interview.
Staying informed during any power outage or adverse weather is crucial; hence leaders recommend signing up for Warn Central Texas emergency alerts and downloading the Ready Central Texas app. Additionally, residents should ensure their contact information is current with Austin utilities. Through these measures, Austin-area leaders express their confidence and remind the community that the time to prepare is indeed now, seeking to fulfill their promise of vigilance and readiness for whatever winter may bring.
