Central Texas grapples with icy roads as winter storm leaves behind hazardous conditions
AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texans woke up to icy roads, sidewalks and yards this morning after the worst of the winter storm blew through the region overnight.
The region is now facing slick driving conditions, though few residents lost power during the freeze.
TxDOT is asking drivers to stay off the streets due to icy road conditions, saying that only essential personnel and emergency responders should be on roadways.
ALSO | Mustang Ridge police car hit after driver lost control on icy roads
Temperatures are likely to not go above the 20s today, meaning that roads will probably remain icy through at least Monday morning. Any melting of ice on roads that may occur during the day will likely refreeze into ice tonight, as temperatures will drop into the teens overnight.
The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center will remain activated today, the City of Austin confirmed, as winter weather and cold temperatures impact the region.
The City says that an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through noon Monday, January 27. Wintry precipitation has moved out of the area.
Crews across the region are working to help mitigate freezing road conditions. In Pflugerville, crews are adding salt and sand to high-traffic roads and intersections, as well as prioritizing public safety locations such as hospitals and fire stations.
In Round Rock, trucks were seen plowing ice off of I-35.
PHOTO GALLERY | Central Texas hit with winter storm
CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco says that sleet and the lack of frozen rain may have saved the Austin area from widespread power outages.
Austin Energy is reporting almost no outages citywide as of 3:24 p.m.
The City of Austin says that Austin Energy crews are continuing to work around the clock. Overnight, Austin Energy crews responded 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 today, and outages are still possible as conditions change.
School districts in central Texas are already announcing closures on Monday due to the icy conditions.
The City of Austin will move to modified operations on Monday, meaning that many City facilities will be closed to the public. However, City employees who can do their job remotely will do so.
CapMetro announced this morning that they will have a delayed start on Monday, Jan. 26, with limited service beginning at noon.
APD says that officers responded to over 1,000 calls for service, including 67 crashes, 32 traffic hazards, and 10 people taken to shelters. Austin Fire responded to 64 vehicle accidents in the past 24 hours; 34 of those accidents occurred after weather conditions declined around 5 p.m.
Austin Fire also responded to a fire at 9807 N FM 620 RD just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday night. The fire was a result of a chimney malfunction. Six apartments were damaged and 12 people displaced, though no one was injured.
Austin-Travis County EMS responded to just over 400 total incidents between 10 a.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, including 12 traffic collisions with injuries and 15 cold-related illness calls, one of which was unfortunately a fatality. ATCEMS Community Health Paramedics have transported 29 people to cold weather shelters since Friday.
ALSO | Body found at Central Austin gas station during winter storm
The City says that over 650 people stayed in six cold weather shelters across Austin overnight. The City will be activating those shelters again on Sunday night. In partnership with the Austin Area Urban League, the City expanded to six 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 from 2-8 p.m. Shelter goers needing transportation to embarkation should call 3-1-1.
The Austin Public Library is also extending hours for three branches on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to serve as Warming Centers. Those branches are: Central Library (710 W. Cesar Chavez St.), Terrazas Branch (1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.), and Little Walnut Creek Branch (835 W. Rundberg Ln.).
The City of Manor says they will be opening a warming center for residents at City Hall on Sunday.
Austin Animal Services will remain closed on Sunday, though staff will remain on site to ensure animal care through the cold.
The City encourages everyone to stay safe and take measures to protect the four Ps: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants. Information on preparing for, withstanding, and recovering from a variety of emergencies is available online at ReadyCentralTexas.org.
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.
