Austin, TX- Since Friday temperatures remain at or below freezing and icy conditions continue to be reported on elevated roadways and overpasses, the City of Austin is suspending normal operations on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.

During this time, all essential public safety services will continue. Full details about City closures are listed at the bottom of this news release.
CapMetro will begin operating a “Critical Service Schedule,” at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb 4^th. The new schedule is being implemented as part of CapMetro’s emergency response efforts. For a full list of impacted routes, read the CapMetro press release.

Travel conditions may be affected until Saturday, February 5.  The City of Austin and regional public safety partners urge residents to only leave home for essential travel.  Some travel may be unavoidable. If you must leave home remember slips and falls on icy sidewalks or driveways can cause serious injury, and cold temperatures can cause health risks in just minutes. Consider following these safety recommendations: 

• Choose warm footwear that is slip and water-resistant 
• Keep walking distances short 
• Go slowly and take small steps 
• Minimize distractions to stay focused. 
• Try to stay dry and out of the wind
• Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing
• Cover your head 
• Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold 
• Wear mittens or gloves that are snug at the wrist 

 
The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning and household fires remains elevated. Residents are urged to keep the following in mind when warming up cars and while using cooking and heating appliances:

• Never run a vehicle inside an attached garage, even with open doors. 
• Do not use an oven as a heater.  
• Do not use generators, gas or charcoal grills, and camp stoves indoors 
• Leave at least three feet of open space around portable heaters.  Keep the device uncovered and away from curtains, blankets, and other items that can easily catch on fire.  Make sure heater power cords don’t cause a tripping hazard. Do not run cords under carpets or rugs. 
• Ensure fireplaces, wood stove or other combustion heater are working properly and ventilation is adequate. 
• If you lose power use flashlights instead of candles. If you must use candles, keep them away from flammable items and watch them closely. 
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are charged and working.

City Department Closures or Modified Operations: 

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) has canceled services for the rest of the week, and the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center and Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant will remain closed until Monday, Feb. 7.  As the weather conditions worsen and the ice continues to accumulate on the roads, ARR now asks that you bring your carts in to avoid them sliding away.

They will empty them on your next scheduled collection day. Continue to leave any missed brush and bulk from this week at the curb. Download the Austin Recycles mobile app or sign up for reminders to get important service alerts: austintexas.gov/myschedule

Austin Public Health: Environmental Health Services at the Rutherford Lane Campus, Office of Vital Records, Neighborhood Centers, and all WIC, Shots for Tots/Big Tots, Sexual Health, Refugee Health Screening and Tuberculosis clinics will be closed Friday, Feb. 4.  
COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites will also be closed Friday. These closures include the newly opened Metz Elementary testing site. The George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center testing site will have a delayed start on Saturday, Feb. 5, and will run from 12-4 p.m. 

Please follow @AusPublicHealth on Twitter and www.facebook.com/austinpublichealth for updates.

All Parks and Recreation facilities will remain closed except for emergency shelters. Outdoor restrooms and water fountains are turned off to protect the infrastructure from freezing damage. Summer Camp registration for qualified Financial Aid and Adaptive/Inclusion Support participants will now begin on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. Additional closure information and updates are available at AustinTexas.gov/ParkClosures.
 
Austin Public Library:  All Austin Public Library locations will remain closed on Friday, February 4. For locations with Saturday hours, the opening time on Saturday, February 5 will be delayed until 12:00 pm. All other locations will reopen with normal hours on Monday, February 7.
 
Austin Public Works Department facilities will remain closed on Friday. Essential workers such as field crews are still working around the clock. Follow @AustinMobility on Twitter for up-to-date closure information. 
 
Austin Transportation Department facilities will remain closed on Friday, Feb. 4.  Essential workers such as field crews and traffic management staff are still working around the clock.
All Economic Development Department facilities will be closed Friday, including the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility (AACHF) and the Entrepreneurial Center. Follow @AustinEconDev on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date closure information.  
Development Services Department: The Permitting and Development Center will be closed on Friday, Feb. 4. 

Winter Weather Tips and Information:

• Austin Energy: Austin Energy prepared for extreme cold weather; tips for customers to stay warm.
• Austin Water: Cold Weather Tips for Potential Freezing Weather.
• Homeland Security and Emergency Management: City of Austin and Travis County Continue Response to Winter Storm.
• Austin Animal Services: Pet owners encouraged to take winter storm precautions.

For updates, please visit AustinTexas.gov/Alerts for information in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Burmese, Urdu, Arabic, French, Hindi, and Pashto. Residents can text ATXWEATHER to 888-777 for updates in English or ATXCLIMA to 888-777 for updates in Spanish. 

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