Mayor Watson Activates Emergency Operations Center for Saturday Winter Storm Response

Emergency Operations Center Activated

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown have officially activated the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) as of noon today, Saturday, January 24, 2026. The activation is a direct response to a severe winter weather system moving through Central Texas. This coordinated government session involves leadership from Austin Emergency Management and various city service departments to manage the regional response as icing begins to impact local infrastructure.

Disaster Declarations and Resource Coordination

The activation follows the signing of local disaster declarations by both Mayor Watson and Judge Brown. These official government actions were formalized in anticipation of the storm to expedite the tracking of expenses and resources. Such declarations are a necessary administrative step to ensure the City of Austin and Travis County remain eligible for federal disaster reimbursement should damage thresholds be met. Today’s activities focus on inter-agency coordination to maintain critical utility services and emergency response capabilities during the duration of the weather event.

Impact on City Infrastructure and Public Services

As part of the city's official response today, several major service adjustments have been implemented by government and transit authorities:

• CapMetro Service Suspension: All bus, rail, and pickup services are scheduled to end at 4:00 p.m. today due to anticipated ice accumulation on road surfaces and rail lines.
• Emergency Transit: Despite the general suspension, CapMetro will continue to operate dedicated shuttles to transport vulnerable residents to the city’s activated cold weather shelters.
• Public Safety Alerts: The city has activated its multi-language alert portal, providing critical safety updates in 14 languages to ensure comprehensive community outreach.

Official Advisories and Forecasted Conditions

Mayor Watson and local safety officials issued a strong advisory this morning, urging all Austinites to avoid unnecessary travel. The National Weather Service has placed the area under a Winter Storm Warning through noon on Sunday, January 25, with ice accumulation between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch expected. Government representatives emphasized that even minor ice accumulation makes road travel dangerous. While Austin Energy is monitoring the local grid, officials stated that no large-scale power outages are currently anticipated, though crews remain on standby for localized issues caused by frozen tree limbs.