Wednesday, February 2, 2022

City of Austin to Close Non-Essential Operations Due to Winter Weather



Start of Tomorrow’s Council Meeting to be Delayed

With the forecast expected to bring freezing temperatures for the next few days, the City of Austin is suspending normal operations on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. During this time, all essential public safety services will continue. 

The start of tomorrow’s Council meeting is being delayed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. All residents who registered to speak by today's noon deadline are encouraged to participate virtually rather than attend in person and will be contacted by the Clerk’s Office with instructions. 

The National Weather Service is predicting a strong, arctic cold front will move through Central Texas Wednesday evening and cause freezing temperatures starting Wednesday during the overnight hours through the weekend. While impacts like February 2021 are not expected, hard freezes, very cold wind chill values, and a potential wintry mix of precipitation are all possible.  

City departments continue to prepare for the incoming freezing weather conditions. The community is being reminded that the streets will be hazardous to drive on, and it is safer to stay home. 

For regular updates visit AustinTexas.gov/Alertsfor 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. 

Information from City Departments 

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) has canceled all street sweeping and recycling, composting, trash, bulk items, large brush, and dead animal collections for Thursday, Feb. 3. Please leave all uncollected carts, bulk, and brush at the curb to allow crews to catch up. Friday's weather and collection capabilities will be reassessed tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 3. ARR hopes to complete all collection by Sunday, but delays may extend into next week should inclement weather persist. Customers are encouraged to download the Austin Recycles mobile app or sign up for reminders and service alerts at austintexas.gov/myschedule. 

Austin Public Health: Environmental Health Services at the Rutherford Lane Campus, Office of Vital Records all WIC and Shots for Tots clinics, and neighbor centers will be closed tomorrow. COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 3, and Friday, Feb. 4, due to anticipated inclement weather. 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. Patients with appointments on those dates have been notified. 

All Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed Thursday except for emergency shelters. Golf and Aquatic (Pools) facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday. Outdoor restrooms and water fountains will be turned off to protect the infrastructure from freezing damage. The beginning of Summer Camp registration for qualified Financial Aid and Adaptive/Inclusion Support participants will be postponed until Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. Additional closure information and updates will be posted to AustinTexas.gov/ParkClosures

Austin Public Works and Austin TransportationAustin Prepares for Winter Weather Impacts to Roads, Travel. Austin Transportation Department facilities will be closed Thursday. Follow @AustinMobility on Twitter for up-to-date closure information. 

Austin EnergyAustin Energy prepared for extreme cold weather; tips for customers to stay warm.
 
Austin WaterCold Weather Tips for Potential Freezing Weather.

Homeland Security and Emergency ManagementCold Weather Shelters for People Experiencing Homelessness Activated.

All Economic Development Department facilities will be closed Thursday and 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.  

Austin Animal ServicesPet owners encouraged to take winter storm precautions.