As Austin braces for another sharp dip in temperatures post-sunset, city officials announced a delayed two-hour start for municipal operations on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The city has urged residents to prepare for slick roads and refreezing as any residual moisture is expected to solidify into ice overnight, according to a statement released by the City of Austin. Employees able to telework are expected to do so on Tuesday morning and report to their respective workplaces when they are deemed open.
For Austinites relying on curbside collection, expect delays. Austin Resource Recovery services for trash, recycling, and composting are sliding one day forward this week. Monday collections will now run on Tuesday, and subsequent days will follow suit. The city has encouraged residents to leave their carts at the curb for crews to catch up throughout the week. Updates on service changes can be found through reminders on the City of Austin's official website.
Protection against the cold continues through the offerings of Cold Weather Shelters, which will run 24 hours until Wednesday morning. Specific embarkation details can be found on the city’s website, with those needing shelter tonight still able to hop on board at One Texas Center until 8 p.m.
Travelers can expect the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to remain operational, but flight delays and cancellations remain a possibility. Airport officials recommend confirmation with airlines before embarking on your journey. Meanwhile, city-owned Austin Animal Services has adjusted to meet the demands of an over-capacity shelter, handling emergency animal intakes and navigating a high volume of foster and adoption applications amid the inclement weather.
For Austin residents dealing with the headache of frozen pipes, the city's water department has listed steps on its Emergency Repairs webpage for immediate action and to prevent further damage, emphasizing safety and caution against using open flames or electrical appliances near water. Further details about water emergencies and how to handle them can be accessed via Austin Water's official channels.
City officials also noted that Austin Energy is working tirelessly to manage isolated outages caused by the storm, with their crews confronting icy roads and limited access in their restoration efforts. Residents are advised to stay updated on the situation by following Austin Energy's online alerts and visiting their social media profiles for the latest information.
As the city’s Street and Bridge Operations' 50 staff members continue to monitor and treat critical infrastructure, Austin is also experiencing a spike in cold-weather-related incidents. Austin-Travis County EMS advises residents to remain cautious if they must go outside and provides tips to prevent falls on icy surfaces. The Austin Police Department, for its part, has kept busy with a surge in traffic-related calls, tackling crashes and hazards throughout the city's freeze.
