Austin Deactivates Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center After Winter Storm Response Shifts To Recovery Work
Emergency coordination scales down as immediate winter hazards ease
The City of Austin has deactivated the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at noon on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, marking a shift from active incident response to recovery and monitoring operations as regional conditions improved after the latest round of winter weather.
The EOC functions as the primary multi-agency coordination hub during area-wide emergencies, bringing together city departments and regional partners to manage information flow, resource deployment, and operational strategy across jurisdictions. Deactivation signals that the event has moved out of the phase requiring centralized emergency coordination, even as departments continue follow-up work.
Storm impacts and the main risks that remain
During the winter storm, the Austin and Travis County area recorded an official total of 0.05 inches of ice and 0.6 inches of sleet, with a liquid-equivalent precipitation total of 0.62 inches. City officials said warming temperatures reduced the immediate threat from freezing conditions, but warned that localized hazards can persist.
Residents were urged to remain cautious, particularly during overnight and early-morning hours when refreezing can occur on shaded roadways, sidewalks, and bridges. City services and facilities have largely moved back toward normal operations, while some parks, recreation sites, cultural facilities, and transportation services may operate with limitations as conditions are assessed and any repairs are completed.
Shelter operations continue beyond EOC deactivation
Although the EOC has been deactivated, cold weather sheltering remains a central part of the city’s response posture. The city operated round-the-clock cold weather shelters from January 24 through January 28, sheltering nearly 900 guests over that period. Overnight cold weather shelter operations are expected to continue through at least Sunday.
Individuals seeking overnight shelter are directed to register and embark at One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Transportation is coordinated from that location to shelter sites.
What recovery work looks like in the days ahead
City departments are continuing recovery efforts, including monitoring infrastructure, addressing residual delays, and responding to damage identified during and after the storm. Officials flagged common post-freeze issues that may emerge as temperatures rise, including leaks from thawing pipes and other minor property damage.
Non-emergency concerns and service requests can be routed through Austin 3-1-1.
Adjusted household trash, recycling, and compost schedules may continue as crews work through weather-related disruptions.
Emergency home repairs involving water lines, main electrical service, or structural damage may require permits and inspection to confirm safety.
For tenant-occupied properties, code enforcement pathways remain in place for issues such as lack of hot water or weather-related structural concerns.
Even as response operations scale down, officials emphasized ongoing caution around lingering ice patches, safe indoor heating practices, and checking on neighbors who may be at higher risk in cold conditions.
Austin Emergency Management encouraged residents to maintain access to official emergency notifications through the region’s alert registration system and to use city information channels for service updates as recovery continues.