Official Notice: Winter Storm Emergency and City-Wide Service Closures

Winter Storm Warning and Emergency Activations

The City of Austin and Travis County are currently under a Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service, effective through 12:00 PM on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Arctic air has moved into the Central Texas region, bringing significant risks of ice and sleet accumulation. Forecasts indicate potential ice builds between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch, making travel throughout the metro area extremely hazardous.

In response to these conditions, Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown have signed local disaster declarations to streamline emergency resource allocation. The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center (ATCEOC) is scheduled to formally activate at noon today, Saturday, January 24, to coordinate the regional response to the winter weather event.

Transportation and Public Transit Alerts

Public transportation services across the city are experiencing major disruptions due to the deteriorating road conditions. Residents should take note of the following service changes:

• CapMetro Services: All bus, rail, and Pickup services will be suspended starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 24. Riders are advised to complete their final trips before this time to ensure they reach their destinations safely.
• Bikeshare: System operations will also cease at 4:00 PM. While bikes can still be re-docked after this time, new rentals will not be permitted.
• Road Safety: Officials strongly urge residents to avoid all non-essential travel. Bridges and overpasses are expected to freeze first, creating dangerous driving conditions.

Parks, Recreation, and Facility Closures

City facilities are adjusting hours to ensure the safety of staff and the public. Key closures include:

• Parks & Recreation: All Austin Parks and Recreation Department locations and facilities will close today at 3:00 PM and remain closed through Sunday.
• Zilker Botanical Garden: The garden is closed for the entirety of Saturday and Sunday.
• Emma Long Metropolitan Park: Camping is suspended through at least Tuesday, January 27, following a preventative water shut-off.
• Athletic Events: All athletic league games and facility rentals have been canceled for the remainder of the weekend.

Health Advisories and Emergency Sheltering

Due to the extreme cold, Austin Public Health has canceled all scheduled vaccine clinics for Saturday, January 24. Residents with appointments will be contacted for rescheduling. To protect vulnerable populations, the following sheltering services are active:

• Cold Weather Shelters: 24-hour emergency shelters are active through Sunday night. Registration and embarkation take place at One Texas Center, located at 505 Barton Springs Road. The center opens at 2:00 PM today.
• Warming Centers: While public libraries and recreation centers typically serve as warming centers during normal hours, many are closing early at 3:00 PM today. Please check specific branch hours before traveling.

City Council Briefing

While emergency response is the current priority, the Austin City Council concluded its regular meeting on January 22, 2026. Notable actions included the approval of an interlocal agreement with Travis County for animal services and the authorization of critical water treatment contracts for Austin Water to ensure the continued safety of the city's utility infrastructure during the winter months.