News

Winter Storm Response Updates from Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center

January 25, 2026

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated as winter weather continues to impact Austin and the Central Texas region. City of Austin and Travis County departments, partner agencies, and community organizations are working together as one coordinated team to support residents and manage the ongoing response. Critical updates are posted at austintexas.gov/alerts in 14 languages. Weather Update

Weather Update

While wintry precipitation has moved out of the area, the Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through noon Monday, January 27. Temperatures will remain below freezing today and throughout all of Monday and drop into the teens overnight. Any melting of ice on streets and bridges that may occur during the day will likely refreeze into ice tonight.

The public is urged to avoid travel if at all possible. Roads are icy and crews continue to treat critical roads to make them passable for emergency responders. But, passable does not necessarily mean safe. If you must drive, take precautions and use resources like Drivetexas.org to plan your route. Help keep roads clear for emergency first responders.

Closures and Changes to City Services

The City will move to modified operations on Monday, Jan. 26. Modified operations means that City employees identified by their departments as critical should telework on Monday. City employees who are identified by their departments as essential should report for their regular work duties.

All City facilities will be closed to the public with the exception of four facilities which will remain open to serve as Warming Centers from 8am to 5pm:

  • Central Library – 710 W. Cesar Chavez St.
  • Terrazas Branch – 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.
  • Little Walnut Creek Branch – 835 W. Rundberg Ln.
  • One Texas Center- 505 Barton Springs Rd. (open until embarkation ends at 8 p.m.)

Cold Weather Shelters

In partnership with the Austin Area Urban League, the City expanded to seven facilities, with the ability to expand further as needed. Facilities are operating 24 hours through morning of Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Embarkation for Cold Weather is being held today until 8 p.m. and Monday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd). Shelter goers needing transportation to embarkation should call 3-1-1.

The Violet KeepSafe program will continue regular hours of operation 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (closed daily from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.). Individuals interested in accessing VKS services can call 512-974-1294, or may bring the items they want to store to VKS and sign up in person. The VKS program is in the former Municipal Court building, located at 700 E. 7th Street.

Austin Resource Recovery curbside trash, recycling, and composting collection will be delayed by one day. Collections for on-demand bulk, brush and household hazardous waste appointments will also be delayed by one day. Customers scheduled for collection on Monday will “slide” to Tuesday and so forth. Carts, bulk and brush should be left at the curb to allow crews to catch up throughout the week. Sign up for reminders to receive updates about changes to your services at austintexas.gov/myschedule.

All court dates and due dates will be extended. Phone lines will be open on Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To speak with a Municipal Court clerk, please call 512-974-4800. To speak with a Community Court clerk, please call 512-974-4879.

Austin Animal Services staff are on-site caring for animals. Animal Protection Officers will be responding to priority reports. Call 3-1-1 to report stray or injured animals.

Austin Development Services staff will be available by phone, chat, email, and for any virtual appointments scheduled. In-person inspections booked for Monday will automatically move to Tuesday, weather permitting.

City of Austin utility customers can make utility payments at coautilities.com or by calling 1-833-375-4919 for a Quick Payment. Additional payment options available here.

Austin Water

While Austin Water is not currently experiencing increased call volumes or repair jobs during this winter freeze event, the potential of customers encountering frozen pipes or leaks remains high. In anticipation, Austin Water’s call center staff, and its hold messaging, includes instructions to callers on how to help prevent, identify and help thaw frozen pipes.

Once temperatures rise and remain above freezing, the effects of thawing will become more evident, and calls to report problems will undoubtedly increase. Call takers, dispatchers, and crews are prepared for a significant surge in reports of broken mains, service issues, and private-side plumbing concerns. More information on service impacts is available online Austin Water Leak and Outage Map.

Austin's water and wastewater operations are stable and fully operational.

Austin Energy

Austin Energy crews continue to respond to isolated outages related to the winter storm, working through icy road conditions and frozen equipment to assess damage and restore power. While impacts have been limited, ice remains on trees and power lines, and outages are still possible as conditions change. Ice can affect all electric systems.

  • Wind and Ice — Trees, power lines and poles are already stressed under the weight of ice. Wind may cause extra stress that can break tree limbs and cause outages.
  • Galloping Lines — Galloping lines often result from ice buildup on one side of the power line due to strong winds. The buildup of ice changes the flow of air around the line, causing bouncing wires, or galloping power lines. This can lead to outages.
  • Melting Ice — As ice melts, tree branches and lines spring back into place and this can cause lines to hit each other and cause outages.

To report power outages: text OUT to 287846, visit outagemap.austinenergy.com, or call 512-322-9100. To receive outage alerts: text REG to 287846, call 512-494-9400 or visit COAUtilities.com to update contact info.

Emergency Management

The EOC will remain operational until further notice. In addition to the Alerts page listed above, updates will be posted on @austintexasgov social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, and shared to Austin Emergency Management’s social media accounts and by other City accounts. Community members are encouraged to follow their preferred local news media for up-to-date information. AEM will contact reporters to ensure they have up-to-date information for the public.

Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you have a medical or life-threatening emergency. If you need other types of service or assistance from the city, please call 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000 or download the 3-1-1 mobile app. Keeping 9-1-1 lines clear for only emergencies will aid the City to properly dispatch first responders and emergency personnel to those who need help.

If you have not signed up to receive emergency alerts on your phone, please visit WarnCentralTexas.org to register. Alerts can be sent via text, call, and/or email.

The City encourages everyone to stay safe and be resilient. Take measures to protect the four Ps: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants. AEM will provide updates throughout the EOC activation and notify members of the media accordingly as well.

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