The City of Austin Homeland Security Emergency Management is encouraging the community to prepare for winter weather as the temperature drops ahead of the holiday weekend.
“The most important gift you can give your family this season is to get prepared in advance of anticipated chilly temperatures,” said HSEM Director Juan Ortiz. “As you prepare for time with your loved ones please make sure you included winter weather preparations as part of your holiday weekend plans.”
Austinites are asked to follow the four P’s for winter weather safety:
- People – Before going outside, dress in layers to protect yourself from the cold. While heating your home, do not use a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, or charcoal-burning device because they generate deadly carbon monoxide gas
- Pets – Bring your pets inside to keep them warm and safe
- Pipes – Insulate or cover exposed pipes to protect them from freezing, turn off outside faucets, drip ONE faucet only if needed
- Plants – cover your plants or bring them in
“The current weather forecast does not call for precipitation or ice, so our concern right now is frigid temperatures and making sure our most vulnerable populations have resources,” said HSEM Deputy Director Aoife Longmore. “We are monitoring conditions and will be standing by over the holiday weekend with additional resources that can be activated as needed. We currently do not anticipate a need for widespread emergency sheltering for our community this weekend.”
