Austin, TX

State agencies prep for winter storm, boost emergency response

Published

11 months ago

January 18, 2025

State agencies prep for winter storm, boost emergency response

AUSTIN, Texas — State emergency response resources have been implemented ahead of winter weather.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management announced Saturday that the agency and it’s state partners have begun mobilizing state resources for the upcoming weather.

“TDEM and our state agency partners are prepared for upcoming winter weather impacts and Texans are urged to take personal preparedness measures ahead of time,” said Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd. “I urge all Texans to stay informed, take proactive measures to protect their families, and follow guidance from local authorities as this winter weather event approaches.”

TDEM is increasing the level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to Level II (Escalated Response) at 7:00 a.m. on Monday.

ALSO | Arctic front brings chance of snow to Austin; officials urge home preparations

TDEM has requested representatives from the following Texas Emergency Management Council agencies report to the SOC on Monday and ensure their resources are mobilizing and are ready for immediate deployment:

Texas Department of Transportation: Winter weather roadway equipment and crews pre-treating and treating roadways; personnel and equipment to assist with traffic control and road closures
Texas Division of Emergency Management: Incident Management Teams; personnel working with local partners to update warming center maps
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service: Public Works Response Teams
Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews; motor graders and personnel to assist with snow/ice clearance
Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Winter Weather Packages including medics and ambulances
Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Personnel to provide information on available services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network; Coordinating with long term care providers across the threat area
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster assessment and recovery agents
Texas Animal Health Commission: Coordinating animal resource needs
Texas Department of Agriculture: Coordinating agricultural resource needs
Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordinating with utility providers across the threat area
Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol Texas roadways
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Game Wardens to support local law enforcement; high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists
Texas National Guard: High-profile vehicles and personnel to support stranded motorists
Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure
Texas Education Agency: Monitoring school district needs across the state
Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (Texas VOAD): Coordinating of volunteer organizations across the state

People can find winter weather resources, safety tips, warming center information, and current road conditions online in the Texas Disaster Portal located at tdem.texas.gov.

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Austin, TX

Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps

Published

5 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Austin opens cold weather shelters ahead of freezing temps

As the Austin area prepares to plunge into freezing temperatures Sunday night, the city is initiating its Cold Weather Shelters protocol.

Those wanting to use the emergency shelters, which open when overnight temperatures reach 35 degrees or lower, must register between 6-8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC) on Barton Springs Road, according to a release from the city. Those interested and in need of transport can reach the OTC via bus lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105 and 801. Anyone who can’t pay bus fare but needs shelter will still be allowed to ride, a Facebook post from the city said.

Following registration, CapMetro shuttles will take guests from the OTC to a cold weather shelter. The addresses for these shelters are kept confidential due to “safety, privacy and capacity concerns,” according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The Statesman also reported that shelters provide meals and allow leashed, friendly pets.

All parks and libraries are meanwhile serving as warming centers during regular operating hours, except for Austin Public Library’s Old Quarry Branch and Willie Mae Kirk Branch.

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Austin, TX

Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin

Published

17 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Building cleared after non-credible bomb threat made in Downtown Austin

AUSTIN, Texas — A Downtown Austin building was cleared after a bomb threat was made Saturday night.

Police say that the call came in at 9:38 p.m., after which officers arrived to the scene and cleared a nearby building at 311 E 6th St.

ALSO: H-E-B delights Austin airport travelers with surprise gift vending machine pop-up

The threat was found to not be credible, and no one was injured.

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Police say no one is in custody and they will be clearing the scene shortly.

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Austin, TX

The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

The richest small town in Texas tops our most popular Austin stories

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson held a press conference Friday to discuss a new deal with Southwest Airlines and its expected impact on the city.

The deal, approved Thursday by the Austin City Council, awards Southwest $2,750 for each new Austin-based hire over the next five years. In exchange, the airline plans to add 2,000 high-paying jobs with an average salary of $180,000 and invest in local workforce initiatives, including the city’s new Austin Infrastructure Academy.

Officials say the deal will strengthen Southwest’s presence at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where the carrier already handles more than 40 percent of all passenger traffic.

The partnership is expected to bring in nearly $20 million in local tax revenue, and the incentive program will last for five years and pay Southwest up to $5.5 million.

Mayor Watson said the agreement will not only create new jobs in Austin but will improve the overall experience at AUS.

“We’re building lives and careers at the same time we’re building tarmacs and terminals,” Watson said. “Southwest is choosing Austin because our people, our workforce, and our future make us a smart investment. This deal creates thousands of good-paying jobs, improves the passenger experience, and ensures the benefits flow directly to Austin workers, families, and tourists. This agreement is proof that Austin means business and cares about the success of its people.”

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Read the full story at KVUE.com.

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