Austin and Travis County urge residents to stay home after winter storm; officials report one suspected storm-related death

Austin and Travis County officials held a Spanish-language emergency briefing during a winter storm, urging residents to stay off roads and use shelters after officials reported a suspected storm-related death and widespread hazards.

The mayor of Austin, Kirk Watson, said the city counted 659 people in shelters overnight and has six shelters at capacity. "Al noche, tuvimos 659 clientes en los refugios, tenemos 6 refugios abiertos ahorita que están a capacidad," Watson said, and officials said they would extend 24-hour shelter operations through Tuesday morning.

Why it matters: Officials emphasized that subfreezing temperatures and refreezing of melt increase risks for people outside and for travel. Judge Andy Brown and other leaders repeatedly urged residents to avoid driving and to check on medically vulnerable neighbors. "Por favor, no salgan a las carreteras… viajar será difícil y casi imposible en muchas zonas," Judge Andy Brown said.

Details: Robert Lucretz, the chief of EMS, told reporters that responders found an unresponsive person at an abandoned gas station on 38th Street at about 6:15 a.m. "Respondimos a una persona que estaba sin que no respondía en una gasolinera… presumimos que la causa fue del frío, but we do not yet know the official cause," Lucretz said, adding that the medical examiner will determine the cause of death. He urged use of shelters and reiterated that residents should call 3-1-1 for assistance.

City officials described partnerships providing food and supplies to shelters: local HEB stores and other community partners helped with meals; the Walmart Foundation donated $5,000 for emergency items for people experiencing homelessness; and Starbucks ensured coffee for staff. Mayor Watson said the city can transport people to warming centers and urged residents to reach 3-1-1 if they need pickup.

Officials said the warming centers and some public libraries are open for people who need heat: three libraries (Letera Russells, Walnut Creek, and the central library) opened from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, and shelters are being kept open overnight through Tuesday morning.

Next steps: Officials said they will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates through city and county channels. The city repeated the central safety message: stay off the roads if not essential and call 3-1-1 for shelter assistance.