City of Austin Seal

City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2026
Contact:        Email
photo of ice on the street with a truck spreading de-icing brine in the foreground.

The Austin-Travis County EOC remains activated to coordinate the ongoing regional winter weather response.

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated as winter weather continues to impact Austin and the Central Texas region. Austin Emergency Management (AEM) continues to coordinate the City’s response alongside City departments, partner agencies, and non-governmental organizations. Critical updates are posted at austintexas.gov/alerts in 14 languages. 

Weather Update

The Winter Storm, Ice Storm, and Extreme Cold Warnings issued by the National Weather Service remained in effect overnight. Ice Storm and Winter Storm Warnings continue through noon Sunday, January 25, while the Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through noon Monday, January 26. 

Freezing rain and sleet developed late Saturday evening into early Sunday morning across Austin and much of Central Texas, resulting in more widespread ice accumulation and hazardous travel conditions than previously anticipated. Ice totals increased overnight, with much of the region receiving approximately one-tenth to one-quarter inch of ice, with isolated higher amounts, particularly toward the Hill Country and western portions of the I-35 corridor.

Temperatures dropped into the low 20s overnight, with dangerous wind chills in the single digits to lower teens. Significant icing on roads, bridges, and overpasses made travel extremely dangerous and near impossible in many areas. Overall, while the most intense wave of freezing precipitation has passed, dangerous cold and slick conditions will persist through the day and into Sunday night. Continued vigilance and preparedness are essential to staying safe.

While Austin Energy has not experienced major impacts to date, crews continue working around the clock. Conditions may worsen as winds increase and ice begins to melt, which can place additional stress on trees and power lines. Water and wastewater operations remained normal throughout the overnight period.

Austin Transportation and Public Works began pre-treatment Thursday evening for critical roadways and structures, but even if a street has been treated, there may be ice present. Crews will continue monitoring and treating as conditions change. 

Treacherous road conditions are expected to continue throughout the day Sunday. Please stay off the roads if possible.

Cold Weather Shelters and Warming Centers

In partnership with the Austin Area Urban League, cold weather shelters were extended to 6 facilities and welcomed 652 guests overnight on Saturday. The City of Austin and AAUL advise all individuals experiencing homelessness to take advantage of these resources during the cold weather months. While Cold Weather Shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone who needs a warm place to spend the night. The City of Austin encourages the community to share this information widely to help those in need access these critical services. Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline - 512-972-5055. Embarkation for Cold Weather Shelters will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday at the One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Rd. Shelter goers needing transportation to embarkation should call 3-1-1.

Austin Public Library is 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.

  • Little Walnut Creek Branch – 835 W. Rundberg Ln.

A Warming Centers Map is available on the Alerts webpage www.austintexas.gov/alerts.

Closures and Changes to City Services

Multiple City departments closed facilities due to the winter storm. As a reminder, Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & Entertainment, Austin Parks & Recreation, and Austin Public Library closed all locations on Saturday at 3 p.m. and will remain closed on Sunday. These closures do not affect the facilities being used as Warming Centers.

CapMetro suspended all bus, rail, CapMetro Pickup, CapMetro Access, and Bikeshare service at 4 p.m. today, and will remain suspended on Sunday. This decision is based solely on safety. CapMetro staff will continue to monitor conditions for Monday, January 26.

Austin Animal Services

Due to winter weather, Austin Animal Services will be closed on Sunday, January 25.⁠ While the facility is closed to the public, staff will be on-site to ensure animal care throughout this weather event. To report stray or injured animals, call 3-1-1.

Due to the large number of animals fostered out, AAS is in need of bedding and dog kennels of all sizes. Items needed can be found on their wish list.

Watershed Protection

Austin Watershed Protection wants to remind community members to avoid discarding brush and fallen tree limbs in creeks or waterways. Do not stack piles of debris in the street next to storm drains. Doing so impedes the flow of water into our city’s drainage infrastructure and can cause flooding for you and your neighbors. For large, heavy tree limbs or storm debris removal, call 3-1-1 to arrange special collection.

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. 

AEM asks all members of the community to take necessary actions to protect themselves and other household members including pets for this event. Information on preparing for, withstanding, and recovering from a variety of emergencies is available online at ReadyCentralTexas.org. Multiple departments contributed to the winter weather seasonal awareness and preparedness press release last month, which includes more information on the four steps of preparedness: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Know Your Neighbors, and Stay Informed. It also has tips on road safety, utilities, and more.

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.

Websites & Phone Numbers

Follow on Social Media

### 

Share