With wintry weather forecasts sending shivers through Texas, Austin is taking no chances; the city's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated early at 7 a.m. amid expectations of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, according to an official statement from the City of Austin. In preparation, Austin's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) is pulling together vital services and support, coordinating alongside city departments and various non-profits to shield the community from the chilly onslaught.

Even as residents hunkered down, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown stood united at a press conference discussing this frosty challenge, revealing details of operational strategies and the city's preventive measures against the cold snap. With sub-zero winds on the doorstep, the National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning kicking off at 6:00 p.m., the city ramped up its Cold Weather Shelters (CWS), running them 24 hours through Wednesday, giving guests from Sunday night—who totaled 376—a warm refuge for the following day.

To bolster this response, an additional pair of facilities have been designated as Community Shelters, offering temporary solace for those perhaps faced with power loss—these accompany the six pre-planned shelters serving in a similar capacity, while the Austin Public Library opens more branches Tuesday, January 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as safe spots to keep out of the cold. For those needing transport to these shelters, embarkation continues daily between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at One Texas Center, located at 505 Barton Springs Rd.

CapMetro, the city's public transit authority, curtailed services on Monday night at 9 p.m. and eyes to initiate a constrained operation from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the first passengers expected to catch buses closer to 11, though rail services are still paused, Austin Energy remains vigilant over the power grid, encouraging customers to report outages through various contact methods including a dedicated outage map detailing current power interruptions, and the crews manning Transportation and Public Works are attending to roadways and vital structures making sure they're treated ahead of the freeze, urging folks to opt for staying indoors or mapping out safer routes that avoid treacherous icy patches should journeying out be an unavoidable venture.

On the facility front, certain city operations are pivoting to modified procedures for Tuesday, January 21, citing the severe weather, so before venturing out to any public buildings, a call to 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 is advised to check availability—the city staff is ready to assist virtually, as highlighted by the range of departments altering appointments and services such as Austin Public Health, Municipal Court, and Development Services, with the Austin Animal Center ensuring essential care for its resident fauna, and even Austin Resource Recovery tailoring its collection schedules, recommending residents to refer to the Austin Recycles app or website for updates.

And with travel advisory firmly suggesting staying put, for the few braving the elements, safety tips range from moderated speeds, increased stopping distance between vehicles, correct skid maneuvers, the dangers of leaving vehicles during a collision on icy roads, and stern warnings against using kitchen appliances for heating due to carbon monoxide risk, while layering clothing, consolidating household members into one room, utilizing space heaters safely, and keeping curtains closed unless the sun is shining, are recommended to stay warm during this wintry episode.

All these efforts point to a city tuned into the urgency of preparedness and safety, as updates from the EOC continue to be dispatched across social media and official channels, alongside encouragement for Austinites to sign up for emergency alerts through Warn Central Texas, ensuring that if you don't find yourself in dire need of a 911 call—reserving that line solely for critical emergencies—the city's 311 line stands ready to field other concerns, an effort to manage the cold's embrace with a steady, community-minded response.