Some Power Restored, Reservoirs Refilling: Austin Storm Recovery

AUSTIN, TX — Hope is on the horizon for Austinites who have lived without running water or power for days during a winter weather crisis that plunged the region into below freezing temperatures and brought with it several days of snow and ice.

In a news conference Thursday evening, Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk said the expectation that temperatures will climb above freezing on Friday — along with the efforts of crews working around the clock to repair city utilities — offers hope that more residents will have water and power service restored in the coming days.

"We are also so sorry for the continued hardships that so many in our community have had to endure in the recent days," Cronk said. "We know this storm has significantly impacted each one of you."

Warming Centers Open Across Austin

Cronk said while the warming center at Palmer Events Center is at capacity, several others are available for residents in need, including at Del Valle High School, Mendez Middle School and Reilly Elementary School.

The Austin Disaster Relief Network has also opened warming centers at faith-based organizations across the city. A list of the network's 13 shelters is available online.

Cronk asked residents to reserve warming shelters for the most vulnerable people and to stay home whenever possible.

Austin Independent School District has also opened warming and charging centers at Lee Elementary, Murchison Middle School, Joslin Elementary School and Barrington Elementary School. Austin ISD warming centers are open from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and are to be used to charge essential medical devices, Cronk said.

The City of Austin provides transportation for residents who cannot shelter in place and must travel to a warming shelter due to medical necessity, the city manager said. Those in need of shelter can call 311 or email coaemergencyrides@austintx.gov to request transportation. Emails should include name, phone number, address, number of people needing transportation and a list of medical needs.

Other city services are also coming back online this week. Starting on Friday, curbside trash pickup will continue for residents who have regular Friday collection. Cronk said trash collection could take longer than usual because of road conditions.

Capital Metro also sent some of its buses back out on the roads on Thursday to offer limited service on some routes. The transit provider has also suspended fares on its buses through Sunday.

Anyone traveling during freezing temperatures is reminded to dress in layers for warmth and to stay hydrated. Passengers can sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updates on bus service.

Crews Work To Bring Water Service Back Online

During Thursday's news conference, Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros said the utility provider is working to provide water first to essential services like hospitals and then to residents.

"We never imagined a day when hospitals wouldn’t have water," Meszaros said. "We’re committed to restoring our system as safely and rapidly as we can. We have a plan."

The Ullrich Water Treatment Plant that went offline during a power outage on Wednesday is back up and running, but the city's boil water advisory remains in effect, Meszaros said.

Residents are asked to boil any tap water they plan to drink, cook or make ice with. According to the advisory, water should be kept at a vigorous rolling boil for two minutes before drinking.

Once it is back at full operating capacity, the treatment plant will continue producing water for the city's reservoir, which became dangerously low on Wednesday amid pipe breaks and increased water usage, Meszaros said. The water director said service outages and low pressure issues were caused by the nearly empty reservoirs.

Austin Water is working to restore the reservoir to its 100 million gallon capacity — about the amount of water used by the city each day — before it continues providing service to residents, Meszaros said.

Once the reservoir is full, various water mains will be reopened as infrastructure is tested and repaired, he said.

"We encourage customers to continue to conserve water," Meszaros said. "If you have water service, please use it wisely and in a moderate way. If water returns, please don’t go overboard and start using too much water. The water you use is water that another customer may not have."

City Makes Progress In Restoring Electrical Service

The city is also working to address power outages, said Austin Energy General Manager Jackie Sargent.

On Wednesday, Austin Energy announced it had brought approximately 139,000 customers' power back overnight. Crews continued working on Thursday to restore power to more customers.

"Currently ERCOT is not mandating outages and has allowed us to work through the night and into today," Sargent said. "As conditions continue to change, it is possible ERCOT may have to mandate more outages. Will continue to utilize rotating outages until power is restored."

Sargent said as Austin Energy works to restore power, it is prioritizing customers who have been without power the longest.

"Because there is so much work to be done, unfortunately I can’t give you a firm answer on when your power will be back," she said. "I truly wish that I could."

Austin Energy asked residents with power to limit their usage for the time being. Power can be conserved by keeping thermostats at or below 68 degrees, keeping doors and windows closed, unplugging nonessential electronics and avoiding the use of large appliances like dryers.

Indoor Fires, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Affect Residents

While power remains limited, Austin Fire Department Assistant Chief Brandon Wade is encouraging residents to be cognizant of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and indoor fires.

Wade reminded residents they should only burn fire wood and fire logs in their fireplaces. Treated wood and other products should never be burned, and fires should not be burned indoors unless inside a fireplace.

Residents who experience a fire in their home or apartment building should call 911 immediately, he said.

"Due to road conditions, response times can be slowed down as crews try to make it through the snow and the ice," Wade said. "Do not wait or expect that somebody else has already called until you see a fire truck on scene."

Wade also reminded residents not to use elevators in the event of an indoor fire because power could go out unexpectedly.

Hospitals Work To Maintain Service

Amid dangerous conditions and the coronavirus pandemic, St. David's HealthCare said in a news release that it has continued to maintain its inventory of food, linens, medications and other supplies.

The hospital system is also working with its supply chain to ensure its patients and staff have access to clean water during the city's boil advisory.

As of Thursday afternoon, the health care system had experienced a water outage at St. David's Medical Center and low pressure issues at Heart hospital of Austin.

St. David's CEO David Huffstutler said the hospital system has access to water trucks, which have enabled St. David’s South Austin Medical to continue heating its facilities and using non-potable water for toilets and other needs. The hospital also has bottled water for patients to drink.

Huffstutler said hospital employees have sheltered in hospitals throughout the freeze so they could avoid traveling on dangerous roadways.

"They have been rotating working and sleeping, which made it possible for us to maintain staffing and coverage," he said. "Our employees have been nothing short of phenomenal. They are tired, but spirits are good, and it is their resiliency and tenacity that has helped us weather this storm and remain focused on keeping the needs of our patients first."