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City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Jan. 26, 2026
Contact: EOC Media     5129740699    Email
Photo of Austin Resource Recovery trash and recycling carts

There are modified City operations today, including no curbside collections.

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated, as extreme cold conditions continue to impact Austin and the Central Texas region. City of Austin and Travis County departments, partner agencies, and community organizations continue to operate 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
According to the National Weather Service, extreme cold conditions persisted overnight Sunday into early Monday morning. Temperatures remained below freezing throughout the night, with lows dropping into the teens across the Austin area. 

The Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through noon on Monday, January 26. Any melting that occurred during daytime hours on Sunday likely refroze overnight, creating ongoing hazardous conditions on roads, bridges, and overpasses. While widespread wintry precipitation has ended, lingering ice and sustained cold temperatures continue to pose risks. 

Residents are strongly urged to avoid travel if possible. Roads remain icy, and even treated surfaces may be unsafe. If travel is necessary, use extreme caution and consult DriveTexas.org for the latest roadway conditions. Keeping roads clear allows emergency responders to operate safely. 

Closures and Modified Operations

The City has moved to Modified Operations today. With the exception of Cold Weather Shelters and Warming Centers, all City facilities are closed to the public. City employees who can do their job remotely will do so while the City continues responding to this winter weather event. 

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 for Monday will be extended. Phone lines will be open today 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 Public Health clinic appointments scheduled for Monday will be rescheduled.  

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.

Austin Animal Services remains closed on Monday. 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. 

CapMetro will have a delayed start on Monday, Jan. 26, with limited service beginning at noon.  Additional information is available on CapMetro’s website. 

Cold Weather Shelters

In partnership with the Austin Area Urban League, cold-weather shelter operations continue at seven facilities, along with family sheltering, with capacity to expand as needed. A total of 879 individuals were welcomed overnight across congregate Cold Weather Shelters and family shelter locations.

  • Shelters continue to operate 24 hours through Tuesday morning
  • Embarkation is available Monday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd.)
  • Transportation assistance is available by calling Austin 3-1-1

The Violet KeepSafe (VKS) program continues normal operations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed daily 11 a.m.–1 p.m.). For more information, call 512-974-1294. 

Warming Centers

The following locations are open as Warming Centers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

  • 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 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

A full map of Warming Centers is available at austintexas.gov/alerts. 

Transportation & Public Works

Transportation & Public Works crews continue monitoring and treating critical roadways and structures. While pre-treatment was completed across the City’s critical network, icy conditions remain likely, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. 

Community members should remember, passable does not mean safe. 

Austin Energy

Austin Energy crews continue responding to isolated outages, with impacts remaining limited overall. Ice remains on trees and power lines, and additional outages remain possible as conditions change due to wind, ice melt, and refreezing. 

To report outages: 

  • Text OUT to 287846
  • Visit outagemap.austinenergy.com
  • Call 512-322-9100

Austin Water

Austin Water operations remain stable and fully operational. While no widespread service disruptions have been reported, residents are reminded that frozen pipes and leaks may become more apparent as temperatures fluctuate.  Learn about Austin Water Cold Weather Tips. 

Customers experiencing leaks or service issues should contact Austin Water’s 24-hour Customer Service line at 512-972-1000 (Option 1). 

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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