After grappling with a blast of cold weather this past week, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) threw in the towel on its heightened alert level, as conditions began to look a little less frigid. According to an official statement released by the City of Austin, the deactivation came into effect at noon on Friday, just as Mother Nature dialed the thermostat up past the freezing point.
Throughout the week, the city had its hands full, sheltering over 400 individuals on Thursday night, and cumulatively aiding 1,565 souls since Sunday, seeking solace from the severe conditions, they had all hands on deck as HSEM Logistics coordinated the delivery of essentials like beds, blankets, and food to various shelter locations. Emergency services were kept on their toes: Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services answering 49 weather-related calls, the Austin Fire Department rushing to extinguish 23 weather-related blazes, and the Austin Police Department dealing with an assortment of traffic headaches including flooding and crashes.
For those still looking for some warmth, the city's warming centers will keep their doors open during regular hours, with the Terrazas Branch Library serving as a temporary haven on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. Even with the cold weather beginning to take a back seat, anyone in need of a warm place to spend the night won't be left out in the cold—overnight shelters are back to their normal operations after a much-needed clean-up session.
As temps are expected to play a game of limbo, possibly dipping into the 20s in the early hours of Saturday, Austin residents are advised to stay in the loop and dress in layers, the city isn't taking any chances and continues to urge everyone to play it safe. The City of Austin encourages locals to keep abreast of the latest in weather and emergency developments by tuning into their social media channels or by signing up for key updates through WarnCentralTexas.org, folks needing non-emergency services or assistance can get in touch via 311, but let's keep the 911 lines clear for the real emergencies. Come January 15, from 3-6 p.m., Austinites will get the chance to stock up on emergency supplies at the Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up at the John Gillum Branch Library.
