Get Ready: Winter Weather on its Way

With freezing temperatures anticipated starting Thursday, Austinites are encouraged to take precautions – in particular, the so-called “four Ps”:

• People: Dress warmly for going outside, and don’t heat your home with a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, or charcoal-burning device because they generate deadly carbon monoxide gas.

• Pets: Bring your pets inside.

• Pipes: Insulate or cover exposed pipes to protect them from freezing, turn off outside faucets, drip one faucet only if needed, and make sure you know where your water main shutoff is located.

• Plants: Cover your plants or bring them indoors.

The chance of precipitation is currently low, but city officials are still urging emergency preparedness. It's a good time to check your emergency kit, including flashlights, batteries, and ample food and water for all humans and pets. Follow Austin Emergency Management on Twitter at @AustinHSEM for updates, and visit ReadyCentralTexas.org for more information and to sign up for emergency alerts.

UPDATED WEDS., DEC. 21, 3:25pm:

The city (in coordination with Austin Area Urban League) will open cold weather shelters overnight on Thursday, Dec. 22; Friday, Dec. 23; Saturday Dec. 24; and Sunday, Dec. 25 for people experiencing homelessness. Registration for shelter will take place each evening between 6-8pm at One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd.) , which will act as a central embarkation point from which people will be transported to one of up to three potential cold weather shelters, located offsite.

While these shelters are primarily used by individuals experiencing homelessness, they will be open and available to anyone needing them. Pets are allowed, if they are not aggressive, able to be around others, have a leash, and can sleep with their owner.

Find more information here, or by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512/305-ICEE (4233).

UPDATED WEDS., DEC. 21, 10:49am:

The City of Austin will open four warming centers over the holiday weekend at the following locations and times:

HOURS OF OPERATION
Friday, Dec. 23 and Saturday, Dec. 24, 8am-7pm

LOCATIONS
Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Ln., 78758

Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez, 78702

Turner Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Dr., 78724  

George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Dr., 78744 

Per a City of Austin press release: "A Warming Center is a safe place where anyone in the community can come inside to get temporary relief from the cold weather during normal operating hours. Pets are not permitted inside Warming Centers. If someone arrives with a pet, facility staff will contact Animal Services to provide pet support." The press release also stipulates "no one will be denied a ride to [a] Warming Center or Cold Weather Shelter on CapMetro services."