News from the City of Austin, Texas

Austin Energy Prepares for High Winds, Potential Severe Weather March 2-3

Mar 01, 2023 04:53 pm

Severe weather with wind gusts of up to 50 mph is forecast for the Austin area from Thursday, March 2 through Friday, March 3. Trees may still be damaged from February’s ice storm, and these conditions could cause outages if limbs and branches connect with power lines. Austin Energy is preparing crews to respond to the potential weather and outages.
 
You can report outages at outagemap.austinenergy.com, by texting OUT to 287846 or by calling 512-322-9100.
 
Stay Safe Around Downed Power Lines

- Consider all wires energized and dangerous. Even de-energized lines may become energized at any time.

- Stay at least 35 feet away from downed lines.

- Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with a power line.

- Never use any object to move a downed wire.

You can report a downed power line by calling 512-322-9100.

Find more safety tips at austinenergy.com/outages/during-an-outage.
 
Be Prepared
Power outages can happen for a variety of different reasons, severe weather being one of them. Here are ways you can be prepared, no matter the situation:

- Sign up for outage alerts at austinenergy.com/go/alerts.

- Assemble an emergency kit and store it in a convenient place.

- Charge your electronics and batteries.

Find additional preparation tips and other helpful resources at austinenergy.com/go/prepare.

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Prepare Now for Possible Severe Weather Tomorrow

Mar 01, 2023 04:40 pm

Prepare Now for Possible Severe Weather Tomorrow 
Kick-Off to Spring Severe Weather Season

Springtime in Austin, Texas also brings severe weather. Isolated thunderstorms are expected tonight with severe weather – risk of isolated tornados, straight-line winds and hail - possible tomorrow, Thursday. City of Austin urges the community to prepare now by monitoring weather conditions, knowing safe places to shelter, and have a way to receive watches and warnings.

Severe weather events such as tornadoes, hailstorms, straight-line winds, thunderstorms, and flash floods can occur unexpectedly throughout the Spring severe weather season.   

The City of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) urges Austinites to take proactive steps to prepare for severe weather. Emergency preparedness is critical to minimizing the impact of these events in our communities. Severe weather can be unpredictable and can cause injury, risks to life, and significant damage to property. It's important for community members to take steps to prepare themselves, their families, and property for these potential emergencies.  

“We have seasons of inclement weather in central Texas. As we move into severe weather season, we want to make sure our community is prepared for the specific types of hazards this season can bring,” said Juan Ortiz, Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.  

 Here are some essential emergency preparedness steps and tips for severe weather:  

- Make a plan: Create an emergency plan with your family that includes designated meeting spots and emergency contacts. Make sure everyone knows what to do and practice your plan.  

- Build an emergency kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as non-perishable food, a flashlight, water, first-aid supplies, and any necessary medications. Don't forget to include supplies for pets.  

- Know Your Neighbors: By knowing your neighbors and building a strong network, you can increase your community's readiness level in an emergency. 

- Stay informed: Keep your cell phone charged or a battery-powered radio to monitor local weather conditions. Sign up for emergency notifications from WarnCentralTexas.org to receive important information during emergencies. 

- Protect your property: Secure loose items such as outdoor furniture and garden tools that could become dangerous projectiles during high winds. Keep trees trimmed to prevent damage from falling branches. 

- Seek shelter: If severe weather is approaching, seek shelter in a safe location such as an interior room on the lowest level of your home. 

- Turn off utilities: Know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity in case of an emergency. 

To further increase your level of readiness, visit an Emergency Preparedness Pop-up Event  in one of Austin’s 10 Districts and check out these tools and resources to learn more about being prepared for severe weather: 

- ReadyCentralTexas.org - Online hub for emergency preparedness information. 

- Ready Central Texas app (on iOS and Android) - Notifications, checklists, videos, and guides to stay informed and prepared.

- WarnCentralTexas.org - Register for free emergency warnings by text, email or phone. 

- Ready.gov - Preparedness resources from FEMA.  

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More to read:
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City of Austin Awarded $1.5 Million Grant for Terrorism Prevention
Austin Mobility News: Safety improvements underway along Barton Springs Road, Riverside Drive and more
Entrepreneurs and innovators invited to compete in City of Austin’s [Re]verse Pitch Competition
Learn about Building Code Inspections

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