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City of Austin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release Date: Dec. 15, 2025
Contact: HSEM Communications        Email
A photo showing frost on a pane of glass.

Community asked to prepare homes, businesses, neighborhoods for winter possibilities such as cold temps, ice, or snow

As temperatures begin to cool and the holiday season approaches, the City of Austin encourages all community members to take measures to ready themselves for winter weather. After winter storms significantly impacted the Central Texas region in recent years, now is the time to prepare to make Austin a more resilient community.

From severe weather bringing thunderstorms and hail to wildfire and extreme heat, Central Texans are familiar with these threats through the years. However, winter weather has become more unpredictable and a weather emergency that should be planned and prepared for by everyone.

“People in Austin and Central Texas need to be prepared for the chance of winter weather causing major disruptions to our daily routine just like the other major hazards and disasters that hit our area,” said Austin Emergency Management Director Jim Redick. “Snow, ice, and extreme cold can cause impacts to our community that make life safety an issue for many. Having a plan, preparing ahead of time, and understanding the needs of you, your family, friends, and neighbors can greatly improve how you respond and recover from a major winter weather event in Austin.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting a La Niña weather pattern this winter, which typically brings drier and above average temperatures. This does not mean severe winter weather will not occur. Some major winter storms of recent years have occurred during a La Niña weather pattern, so being prepared every winter is important.

Preparation for winter starts with protecting the 4 P’s: people, pets, pipes, and plants. Take each of these into consideration when working through the four steps of emergency preparedness: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Know Your Neighbors, and Stay Informed.

When cold weather hits, branches of Austin Public Library and Austin Parks and Recreation rec centers can serve as Warming Centers. During regular business hours, the public may go to these facilities for a temporary reprieve from the cold. For more information on Warming Centers, visit AustinTexas.gov/alerts. A Warming Centers map maintained by Austin Emergency Management lives on this page so users can easily find a Warming Center closest to them and quickly get directions there.

Emergency Preparedness 

Austin Emergency Management provides tools, resources, guides, training, and more to help the community get ready now for tomorrow’s emergencies.

Make a Plan:

  • To create an emergency plan that is right for you, start with our Neighborhood Preparedness Guide, which is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Simplified, Korean, and Arabic. Korean and Arabic are the latest additions to the options. Copies of the Neighborhood Preparedness Guide are available at AEM’s monthly Emergency Preparedness Pop-Up events.
  • Learn more via our digital preparedness hub at ReadyCentralTexas.org.
     

Build a Kit:

  • Having supplies on hand to get you through a disaster is a key step in preparedness. If you already have a kit, inspect the contents for damage or expiration dates and replenish anything that needs to be replaced.  If you do not have an emergency kit, now is the time to build one.
  • Start with our Emergency Kit Checklists for people and pets, available in 13 languages.
  • Get items for your kit by visiting our Emergency Preparedness Pop-up Events, where Austinites can drop by, meet emergency professionals, and get free basic emergency kits and resources.
     

Know your Neighbors:

  • Download our Neighborhood Preparedness Guide or pick one up at an event near you for tools to plan with your neighbors. This guide has tips, checklists, and more to help you before, during, and after a disaster.
  • You can also meet your neighbors at Ready Together, an emergency preparedness classroom training where community members can get an introduction to preparedness.  
     

Stay Informed:


Being prepared before weather hits the area can directly influence how much you are impacted. Knowing the four steps of preparedness and acting on them can make the Austin-Travis County more resilient and confident when winter weather affects our region.

Health and Safety

The best advice for winter weather is to remain indoors if possible and remain “weather aware.” Stay tuned to local weather forecasts for weather advisories, traffic updates, and road closures. Also keep these tips in mind:

  • Hypothermia can set in within minutes, so if you must go outside, dress in multiple layers of warm clothing. Protect your head, hands, face, neck, and ears.
  • In the event of a power loss, keep warm using multiple layers of warm clothing, blankets, stay in one room with all members of your household, and keep doors and windows closed.
  • Keep enough of your prescription medications to last seven days.
  • Cold weather may aggravate some chronic medical conditions. Talk with your doctor about your risks, and what you should do if your condition is exacerbated.
  • Ice and snow pose fall hazards. If you must go outdoors in those conditions, wear appropriate footwear, walk slowly, and take small steps.
  • If you rely on oxygen, make sure you have enough extra tanks to last seven days in case of power loss, and keep emergency contact information for your oxygen supplier in case you run out.
  • If you rely on an externally powered medical device (like a ventilator or LVAD), keep all backup batteries charged and make a plan with your care team in case you lose power.
  • Never attempt to heat your home using your stove, oven, gas or charcoal grills, or fires outside of a fireplace, as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector.
  • Never use a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces. Make sure all generators are at least 10 feet away from your home.
  • If you are involved in a collision on an icy roadway, stay in your vehicle and call for help.
  • Keep your phone and other media devices fully charged in case of a power outage and consider a battery- or solar-powered weather alert or AM/FM radio for your residence to keep you informed in the event of a power failure. 

According to FEMA, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Over the last five years, Austin Fire has responded to 113 fires during those months that involved a heating source.

  • Before the cold weather hits, hire a professional to conduct an inspection of your central heating and fireplace.
  • Space heaters need space and attention! Heaters should be at least three feet away from anything that can burn including walls, curtains and bedding. They should be switched off when unattended, particularly when residents are asleep.
  • If using an electrical or kerosene heater, make sure it is UL approved and comes equipped with an automatic cutoff if the unit overheats or tips.
  • Prevention is key to winter weather safety. Proactively test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Austin Fire has a free smoke alarm program for community members needing assistance. Austinites can call the free smoke alarm hotline at 512-974-0299 and leave their name, address and phone number and a member of the Austin Fire Community Engagement Division will call back to schedule a free installation.
  • Holiday decorations can be a fire hazard. Christmas trees, particularly dry trees, will fuel a fire. Water natural trees daily.
  • If a fire does break out, it can spread quickly to other structures and homes through flames and embers, which can be carried up to a mile by wind.
  • There is a particular concern after the season’s first hard freeze when grass and brush are more susceptible to burning.
  • Harden your property against risk by maintaining a noncombustible perimeter around the first five feet of your home.
  • Replace mulch around the immediate perimeter with a noncombustible groundcover like granite, river rock, etc.
  • Remove combustibles like patio cushions, propane tanks, and wooden/wicker furniture from within five feet of your home.
  • Clear gutters and roof of leaf litter and other combustible debris.
  • Austinites can also request a free structure ignition zone evaluation (SIZE), during which an advisor will walk the exterior of the property with you to provide personalized guidance about additional steps you can take to protect your home from fire.
  • Ensure that recreational fires adhere to local regulations:
    • Recreational fires must be no larger than three feet wide and two feet tall. They are allowed for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking and warmth purposes.
    • A recreational fire must be at least 25 feet from any structure and other combustible material.
    • Portable outdoor fireplaces must be kept a minimum of 15 feet from any structure or combustible material.
    • All fires must be attended by an adult with immediate access to a functioning fire extinguisher or other equipment such as a garden hose.

Austin Police and Austin Transportation & Public Works both encourage drivers to stay off the roads when they are iced over unless travel is absolutely necessary.

Stay safe by staying off the roads. Plan to make non-essential trips prior to or after inclement weather. Keeping streets clear allows crews to treat the roadway surfaces and maintain routes for emergency services. If you have to make an essential trip during inclement weather, map out the route to identify potential vulnerabilities such as bridges or areas where black ice may form. When possible, consider adjusting the essential trip’s route to use larger non-elevated streets and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.

If you are approaching an existing crash on the road, slow down and maintain a safe distance so you do not put yourself, others, or first responders in danger. If you are in a crash, remain in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened unless it becomes unsafe. You are safer inside your vehicle on icy roadways.

Low temps, ice, and wintery weather can make driving hazardous. Before driving in inclement weather this season, be sure to:

  • approach intersections with caution and always treat dark signals as an all-way stop,
  • check for updated weather conditions,
  • avoid bridges and overpasses,
  • reduce your speed and stay alert for black ice,
  • check tire pressure and tread depth,
  • drive with your lights on to be visible to others,
  • if your vehicle begins to slide, avoid braking,
  • confirm windshield wipers and all vehicle exterior lights are functioning, and that washer fluid can withstand sub-freezing temperatures.

Keep a winter emergency kit with the following items in your vehicle:

  • jumper cables
  • flares or reflective triangle
  • ice scraper
  • cell phone charger
  • clay (non-clumping) cat litter or sand for better tire traction

Community members are encouraged to follow the guidance provided by City departments and can call Austin 3-1-1 regarding additional questions. Only call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing an emergency.

The City encourages the community to share information widely to help those in need access overnight Cold Weather Shelters when they are activated. Last winter, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations (AHSO) simplified its threshold for activating overnight Cold Weather Shelters. AHSO will open shelters if overnight temperatures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. are projected to be 35 degrees or lower based on the National Weather Service's Camp Mabry location.

This winter, ASHO is changing the exit time from overnight cold weather shelters to 10 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. This allows shelter clients more time to eat breakfast and use services. The change also ensures clients are released when temperatures are more likely to be higher compared to the previous 6 a.m. release time.

Registration and embarkation for Cold Weather Shelters will still occur from 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center, located at 505 Barton Springs Rd. Individuals seeking shelter after the normal registration hours can still use Cold Weather Shelters with After-Hours Embarkation Service at One Texas Center.

Families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking Cold Weather Shelters will be provided hotel lodging. Hotel accommodations will be provided for a designated period, with extensions available based on availability.

Individuals can get information about when Cold Weather Shelters are activated by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Infoline at 512-972-5055 and registering for the PEH Text Alert System by visiting www.bit.ly/alertsatx.

Austin Public Health (APH) will monitor and analyze emergency department visits and operate the public health medical branch. APH will provide planning and coordination of any needed Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC). If Cold Weather Shelters are activated, APH would also provide epidemiological surveillance to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, as well as environmental health services, including food safety and sanitation inspections.

Make sure your family is prepared for weather events by following this winter weather safety guidance and using this Family Communication Plan.

Animal health and safety is a concern this time of year as well as even brief cold snaps in Austin can put pets at risk, especially when temperatures fall into the low 30s or upper 20s. Texas law requires outdoor animals to have adequate shelter and access to clean water at all times. The City of Austin encourages residents to bring pets indoors during cold nights and to ensure outdoor animals have a weatherproof shelter that blocks wind and moisture, along with dry bedding such as straw or blankets. Water bowls should be checked frequently, as they can freeze overnight. Limit outdoor exposure, watch for signs of cold stress like shivering or lifting paws, and tap car hoods before starting engines to protect outdoor cats.

Austin Animal Services follows the same winter weather protocols and will ensure that all shelter animals remain safe, warm, and protected during extreme weather conditions. Anyone concerned about a pet without shelter or water should call 3-1-1.
 

Home Preparedness

Common winter weather-related issues associated with property damage may include no hot water, burst pipes, and cracks in the ceiling or walls. One way to prevent damage is to proactively follow these property maintenance tips:

  • Test your gas service lines annually for possible leaks. 
  • Check if your furnace is operating correctly. 
  • Check if the boilers are working as intended. 
  • Ensure you have functioning smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.    

After a winter weather storm, if you experience damage to your property, you may begin repairs immediately to prevent further damage to your building or property. Learn more about safely permitting emergency repairs on the Permits for Emergency Repairs webpage. 

Tenants who experience unresolved code violations can request a Code Inspector by calling Austin 3-1-1 or 512-974-2000. Visit this webpage for more seasonal tips. 
 

Utility Preparedness

Austin Energy prepares year-round for extreme weather, including the winter months. At power plants and substations, the focus is on weatherizing, insulating and inspecting equipment. Utility personnel are trained for winter weather emergencies, have mutual aid contracts ready if needed and critical supplies are in stock.

Customers can report a power outage by texting OUT to 287846, visiting outagemap.austinenergy.com, or calling 512-322-9100. During emergencies, Austin Energy customers can find the latest emergency information at austinenergy.com/alerts.

Learn more about how to stay warm, stay safe, and save on your utility bill during winter weather at austinenergy.com/go/winter.   

Electrical Safety Tips:  

  • If using an electric space heater, be sure it has an automatic shut-off switch and non-glowing elements. Keep it away from flammable materials.   
  • Never heat your home with a gas oven or burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented. Do not burn paper in a fireplace.   
  • Never touch anything or anyone in contact with a power line. When a live wire touches the ground, electricity fans out throughout the area. Stay at least 35 feet away from downed line and never use any object to move a downed wire.
  • Call 512-322-9100 to report a downed power line. If the line is sparking, call 9-1-1.
  • If you see limbs on wires or see downed tree limbs, please call 3-1-1 to report them.

In case of a power outage:   

  • Keep flashlights on hand.
  • Turn off major appliances to prevent overloading when power is restored.
  • Keep your refrigerator door closed as much as possible.
  • Follow proper instructions if using a portable generator or space heater.
  • Prevent cold power overload when power is restored by:  
    • Turning off thermostats.
    • Turning off or unplugging major appliances.
    • Leaving only one light on to indicate when power is back.

 

As the winter season approaches, Austin Water urges customers to take steps now to prepare for freezing temperatures. While Austinites often enjoy mild winters, we must all be prepared for severe and prolonged freezing weather.

Following a few, easy steps now will help protect your property and prevent property damage when freezing weather does arrive in Austin.

Locate Your Water Shutoff

Locate the water main shutoff valve and keep it clear of debris and obstacles at all times.

In an emergency, Austin Water recommends shutting off water at the property owner’s cutoff valve first. The property owner’s cutoff valve is usually located a few feet away from the City’s water meter box closer to your house. This video demonstrates how to locate and operate your property owner valve: How to Shut Off Your Water in a Water Emergency - YouTube.

For renters, please consult with your property manager.

If you cannot find your shutoff valve or if it is damaged, then you should be prepared to access the City shutoff valve in the meter box during an emergency. You may need a water meter key to open the meter box, which can be purchased at most hardware stores. Plan ahead and purchase a water meter key prior to winter as these can be a high-demand item and stores may run out of stock quickly.

Weatherize to Keep Out Cold Air

Make repairs to broken or drafty windows, doors, and walls. Seal all leaks in crawl spaces and basements. Winterize unheated spaces and be prepared to close garage doors for the duration of the freeze. Gather supplies to cover vents on your home’s foundation.

Weatherize Exposed Pipes and Water Heaters

Prepare to insulate pipes in unheated and drafty areas, such as an attic or garage. Also check manufacturer recommendations for your tanked and tankless water heaters. Hardware and plumbing supply stores carry insulation to help keep pipes from freezing. Get all supplies now so you are ready to wrap pipes and water heaters when a winter storm is approaching.

Outside Faucets and Irrigation Systems

Austin Water encourages customers to turn off and drain irrigation systems during the winter months to help conserve water. Disconnect hoses and wrap outside faucets with towels or a Styrofoam insulator.

Gather Supplies to be Prepared

Having these supplies on hand will help you be prepared and avoid the rush at stores when the first winter storm of the season approaches.

  • Water meter key to access your meter box
  • Insulation for indoor and outdoor pipes and hot water heaters
  • Hose bib covers for outdoor faucets
  • One gallon of water person per day for several days

 

Websites & Phone Numbers

 

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