City of Austin Prepares Residents for Winter with Emergency Resources and Tips

With the arrival of winter, different agencies in Austin are working together to assist residents in getting ready for emergencies, conserving resources, and ensuring safety during extreme weather conditions. Austin Energy, Austin Water, Austin Resource Recovery, Austin Watershed Protection, and the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are set to host complimentary events at the City of Austin Utilities Customer Service Centers on December 10 and 11.

Residents participating in these events can obtain useful information, demonstrations, and free tools like solar-powered phone chargers, water shutoff keys, insulated faucet covers, and supplies for emergency kits. The events are designed to inform the public about essential strategies for handling power outages, extreme cold, and various winter difficulties.

Key features are:

Austin Energy shares advice for ensuring safety during power outages and complimentary solar-powered device chargers.

Austin Water offers complimentary meter keys and hose bib covers to help safeguard properties from damage during freezing temperatures.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management gives guidance on assembling emergency kits and safeguarding the “Four Ps” of winter safety—people, pets, plants, and pipes.

Participants will have the opportunity to discover how to assemble a shelter-in-place kit and investigate resources related to winter safety at ReadyCentralTexas.org.

Residents are encouraged to download the Ready Central Texas mobile app to stay informed during emergencies.

Register for notifications at WarnCentralTexas.org.

To sign up for Austin Energy’s Outage Alerts, simply text “REG” to 287846.

The events highlight Austin's dedication to fostering a resilient community alongside the promotion of efficiency and sustainability. The city equips residents with the necessary tools and knowledge to tackle winter challenges directly.

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