News from the City of Austin, Texas

Suspension of City Operations Extended Through Thursday, Feb. 2

Feb 01, 2023 03:22 pm

The suspension of regular non-essential City of Austin operations is being extended through the end of Thursday, Feb. 2, due to the ongoing impact of winter weather. During this time, all essential public safety services and essential employees will continue responding to the winter weather event.  

The National Weather Service expects to lift its Winter Storm Warning tomorrow at approximately 6 a.m. Hazardous ice conditions continue to affect our community and are expected to remain through today and this evening.  While conditions are expected to improve starting tomorrow morning, a significant portion of our community, including employees, have been and will continue to be impacted by the loss of power, downed trees, and the expected continued closure of area schools. 

The City will remain under Level 2: Limited Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation to continue to closely monitor weather conditions and provide updates as appropriate. 

For updates on emergency information and City operations visit austintexas.gov/alerts or call 3-1-1. 

Thursday morning commuters should avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary and be alert for crews and service trucks performing work on area roads. Residents should expect slick conditions on hard surfaces, such as porches, driveways and sidewalks. 

Austin Resource Recovery Trash, Recycling, Composting and Facilities Schedules 

Curbside collections will resume on Thursday, but not at full capacity. Delays should be expected due to continued winter weather conditions. Carts, bulk and brush items should be left at the curb so staff can collect material once road conditions improve. Collections will continue into the weekend.  

The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center and public brush drop-off at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant will be closed on Thursday, February 2. Customers can get updates about changes to their services by downloading the Austin Recycles app or by signing up for reminders at  austintexas.gov/myschedule.  

Storm Debris Removal 

ARR customers can call 3-1-1 to request a collection of down tree limbs due to the severe winter weather. ARR crews will assess and collect them as soon as possible. Please have the limbs at the curb ready for collection.  

Small branches and yard trimmings can be placed in the green composting cart, lawn and leaf bags or a reusable container and set out on the next scheduled collection day. Small branches (no longer than five feet and no thicker than three inches in diameter) that do not fit into the green cart with the lid closed should be stacked into manageable bundles no heavier than 30 pounds. Typically, ARR will collect the contents of your green cart and up to 15 extra items placed beside the cart, but item limits will be temporarily waived for storm debris collection. 

City of Austin Utilities 

All Utility Customer Service Centers will be closed through Thursday, Feb. 2. Customers can make utility payments at http://coautilities.com or by calling 1-833-375-4919 for Quick Payment. Additional payment options: http://coautilities.com/go/paymentoptions. 

Courts 

Austin Municipal Court and Downtown Austin Community Court services will remain closed except for the Violet KeepSafe Storage (VKS) program.  The VKS program will remain operational from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. throughout this time period as an essential service for individuals experiencing homelessness. 

Parks and Recreation 

For information about park closures, visit: http://AustinTexas.gov/ParkClosures  

Austin Public Library 

All Austin Public Library locations will be closed, except for a few locations used as warming centers.  The Central Library, Terrazas and Little Walnut Creek Library branches will be available as warming centers from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

AUS 

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport may be experiencing delays. All air travelers should check their flight status at?www.austintexas.gov/airport. 

The City of Austin will continue to monitor conditions and will provide updates as they become available. For the most up-to-date information about City of Austin operations, monitor City social media on Twitter or Facebook (@austintexasgov). ? 

Additionally, updates will be posted on the City’s website at?www.austintexas.gov/alerts. Information also will be available by calling 3-1-1. 

For information on school delays and closures as well as?other governmental offices, monitor local media and communication channels for those organizations. 

Decisions about City of Austin delays and closures are made based on the best available information that officials have at the time and subject to change based on the latest weather forecasts and road conditions. 

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City of Austin Urges Residents to Stay Off the Roads Through Thursday Morning

Feb 01, 2023 07:41 am

The City of Austin is advising residents to avoid travel as freezing temperatures, freezing rain, and icy conditions are expected to continue to impact the region through Thursday morning. Residents should expect hazardous roadway conditions today - especially on bridges and elevated roadways - and plan accordingly. Temporary road closures may occur as staff work around the clock to treat roads and respond to crashes.

On Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31 the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Department responded to over 300 traffic collisions and dozens of falls due to ice. Many of these incidents are preventable. Help first responders help you by avoiding travel unless absolutely necessary. 

If you need to travel, remember to: 

- Check conditions at DriveTexas.org before setting out on your trip.

- Have emergency supplies in your vehicle such as blankets, jumper cables, emergency lights, and a cell phone charger in case of a crash or emergency.  

- Plan additional time for travel, go slowly and turn carefully.  

- Avoid elevated roads,?such as overpasses and bridges. 

- Avoid sudden braking or accelerating?to maintain traction.  

- Treat a traffic signal that is flashing red or dark as an all-way stop. 

- Stay in your vehicle if you are in a collision. It is dangerous to stand outside your vehicle on or near icy roadways. 

- Keep in mind that if there is ice on the road, there may be ice on the adjacent sidewalks. Keep walking distances short. Go slowly and take small steps. Choose warm footwear that is slip and water-resistant. 

For updates on emergency information and City operations, visit AustinTexas.gov/Alerts.

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More to read:
City of Austin Suspending all Regular Non-essential Operations through Wednesday, February 1
Homeless Strategy Division Hosting Virtual Community Meetings February 1–3
Demand for COVID-19 Vaccine Home Visits Decreases in 2023
City Offices Open Tues. Jan. 31, Some Operations May be Affected
Austin Mobility News: Prepare for winter weather this week; parking changes proposed for South Congress Avenue

For more City of Austin news releases, visit AustinTexas.gov.