Austin Faces Ice, Arctic Cold and Power Risk as Governor Declares Disaster for 134 Texas Counties
Residents across the Greater Austin area are being urged to take immediate precautions as an Arctic front brings freezing rain, ice accumulations, and dangerously cold temperatures to Central Texas this weekend.
Governor Greg Abbott has declared a statewide disaster for 134 Texas counties, including all of Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, and surrounding areas. The move ensures state resources can be rapidly deployed to support local communities throughout the incoming weather crisis.
Ice and Arctic Air Set to Slam Central Texas
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning and an Extreme Cold Warning for Central Texas.
-
Freezing rain and ice accumulation of 0.1” to 0.25” is expected across much of the region, with up to 0.5” possible in the Hill Country.
-
Temperatures will plunge into the single digits and teens, with wind chills as low as 5° below zero.
The storm is expected to begin early Saturday morning, with the most dangerous conditions lasting into Sunday morning, and extreme cold persisting into Monday.
Governor Abbott Mobilizes Full-Scale State Disaster Response
Following a briefing with emergency officials at the State Operations Center in Austin, Governor Abbott outlined an aggressive state-level response:
“Because of the severity of this storm, I am making a disaster declaration covering 134 counties across the state of Texas… We have an outstanding team that is already prepared, already responding.”
Governor Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to escalate to Level II (Escalated Response) and activate a full suite of agencies, resources, and support services across Texas.
Among the key deployments:
-
Texas National Guard: High-profile vehicles and personnel positioned to assist stranded motorists
-
TxDOT: Road crews treating bridges and highways, equipped to close dangerous routes
-
Public Utility Commission & ERCOT: Monitoring the power grid and preparing for outage response
-
Texas A&M Forest Service: Teams ready to assist with fallen trees, snow clearance, and blocked roads
-
Texas Department of State Health Services: Ambulance strike teams and medics prepared for cold-related emergencies
-
2-1-1 Texas Information Network: Connecting residents with warming centers and assistance services
Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety has granted a waiver to commercial truck drivers hauling essentials like propane and groceries, ensuring supplies can move quickly through the state.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Local Impacts for Greater Austin Residents
-
Icy road conditions expected Saturday through Sunday
-
Power outages possible, especially in heavily iced areas
-
Water pipe damage likely without freeze precautions
-
Shelter and heating access critical for vulnerable residents
What You Should Do Now
-
Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary
-
Check road conditions at DriveTexas.org
-
Locate warming centers via tdem.texas.gov/warm
-
Get preparedness tips at TexasReady.gov
-
Protect the Four P’s: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants
(Source: Weather.gov)With the ERCOT grid currently stable, officials are cautiously optimistic. Still, residents are urged to stay informed, limit electricity usage when possible, and report outages to local utility providers.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
