Thursday, February 25, 2021

Response efforts continue after severe winter weather



For immediate release:
February 25, 2021
Contact:  Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center, 512-974-0590


Response efforts continue after severe winter weather

Onion Creek Soccer Complex Open for Water Distribution Tomorrow

Austin, Texas – The City of Austin and Travis County continue work to respond and recover from the severe winter weather that occurred last week.

Most water distribution sites in the city and the county will be closing today and not reopening. The distribution site at Onion Creek Soccer Complex will open at 9 a.m. tomorrow Friday, February 25.

HOME DAMAGE AND REPAIRS
Travis County residents seeking to apply for individual assistance for losses can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY. More information is available in the FEMA press release. Frequently asked questions about applying for aid have been produced by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The Development Services Department has established a webpage for emergency repairs information for answers to questions about safety while conducting repairs, which work types require a permit or not, and how to proceed with permitting for an emergency repair. Residents and contractors can also call our emergency repairs permitting hotline at 512-974-1500 or live web chat, both are operational Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

City Council passed an ordinance waiving residential permitting and development fees related to repairing or reconstructing structures, and removing trees and tree limbs damaged as a result of winter weather events. The fees covered by this waiver include permitting, plan review, inspection, demolition, and variance fees for repair of existing structures only, and do not include fees for re-inspections.

Austin Disaster Relief Network and Texas voluntary organizations are collaborating with the counties of Bastrop, Hays, Travis and Williamson to include the cities of Austin and Round Rock in a massive cleanup effort. This effort has begun today and residents in these areas can call the crisis clean up toll free number at 1-800-329-8052 for assistance in clearing their homes and removing debris.
The "Crisis Clean Up" line will operate Monday-Saturday, 9 am – 8 pm, and Sunday, 1 pm – 6 pm. Homeowners can register for assistance through the "Crisis Clean Up" number until Tuesday, March 2.

FOOD
A food distribution event will be occurring again tomorrow from noon – 8 p.m. at the Millennium Youth Complex, 1156 Hargrave St.  
Austin-Travis County will be providing meals to those with critical need through mass distribution and home delivery.  Contactless curbside food and water drop off is available for vulnerable populations. If you are a home-bound Austinite experiencing food insecurity, you can request a drop-off by calling the ADRN hotline at 512-806-0800
Yesterday, the state received federal approval for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also known as SNAP to apply for replacement benefits. For more information on SNAP benefits, please call 2-1-1.
 
SHOWER AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES
Shower and laundry facilities have been established at four locations in the community. If you are without water, and need a place to take a shower or wash clothes, please go here to sign up for a time to access those resources.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Individuals who are looking for available City and County resources, as well as other community resources can visit austintexas.gov/weatherinfo or austintexas.gov/infoclimatica for Spanish. City and County departments will also continue to provide updates on social media channels.