Updated 2/10/2022: Winter storm response – City of Georgetown Texas

Feb 10, 2022

Updated Feb. 10, 2022, 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 update: Winter Storm response

The following is a summary of the City’s response to Winter Storm Landon Feb. 2-5, 2022.

Water

Pre-winter: Insulated pipes, installed heat tape, and heaters
3 days of 24-hour staff coverage (Thur – Sat) to operate and protect plants and equipment
Water and wastewater treatment plant staff slept on site to ensure treatment plants stayed operational
4 minor water leaks affecting less than 20 customers for a few hours
3 generators (500-kilowatts each) stationed at Stonewall, Hoover, and Pastor pump stations
2 industrial heaters at Leander and Sequoia pump stations to prevent freezing
Staff visited dozens of sites to turn off 75 construction hydrant meters to limit losses to the system and damages to property
60 customer calls: employees advised residents with frozen pipes
Non-field staff provided 24-hour food service and delivery to staff, including those working long shifts in freezing temperatures
Retained construction contractor for standby

Electric

Last summer: Extensive tree trimming and maintenance programs helped to keep outages low
24 hours out: Electric crews patrolled known trouble spots for tree-related outages and cleared limbs
During winter storm: Crews were staged and on rotating shifts to provide 24-hour response
- Feb 3: 1 power outage effecting 1 customer
- Feb 4: 2 power outages affecting 7 and 9 customers respectively
- Feb 5: 1 power outage affecting a total of 4 customers

Public Works

750 gallons of deicer placed on bridges and roadways
120 cubic yards of sand spread on bridges and roadways
3 days of 24-hour staff coverage to treat icy roads

Police

32 motor vehicle crashes (compared to 13 crashes in prior week)
Provided transport for City employees in critical services

Fire

The Fire/Medical Department responded to 132 calls Feb. 3-5 during the winter storm event, which represents a 35 percent increase over the Jan. 2022 average on Feb. 3 and a 15 percent increase on Feb. 4. Calls included:

89 medical/EMS calls
25 fire calls (including fire alarms)
14 motor vehicle collision calls
4 assist calls

Customer Care

Phone calls received during the storm event:

156: Thursday, Feb. 3
292: Friday, Feb. 4
15: Saturday, Feb. 5 (8 a.m.-noon)

Communications

130,000 persons reached on City Twitter, Facebook, and NextDoor pages
7,000 engagements on City Twitter and Facebook pages
5,205 City website page views on storm post
+60 total news releases, social media posts, and website updates

4:30 p.m. Friday Update

City facilities remained closed on Friday. However, most City facilities normally open on Saturday will open at 12 noon tomorrow, Feb. 5. This includes:

Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243
Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.

The Art Center, 816 S. Main St., will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, will be open normal Saturday hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Tennis Center will not be open on Saturday.

Public restrooms and drinking fountains in City parks remain closed through Monday.

Water leaks and repairs

For water leaks due to frozen pipes, please email Customer Care at leak@georgetown.org. To speed the repair process through Feb. 18, permits will not be needed for property owners making minor plumbing repairs due to water leaks caused by freezing temperatures this week.

Utility outages

Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) continues to report sufficient generation in the state to meet the high demand as a result of cold temperatures.

If you are experiencing an electric or water outage and are a City of Georgetown customer, please first refer to our online outage maps to confirm we know about your outage. If you don’t see your location included in the outage, please call 512-930-3640. Please note calls may take longer to connect with the City’s outage system.

Many Georgetown residents may not have City electric. Other area providers include:

Oncor: stormcenter.oncor.com

PEC: outages.pec.coop

Personal safety

Georgetown residents should avoid travel if possible and exercise caution while driving. Look for icy spots on roads as water refreezes in the evening and overnight hours. Visit drivetexas.org for road conditions.

Residents are encouraged to drip their faucets to help prevent damage to water pipes. In the event of frozen pipes, people should turn off their water at the main shut-off valve.

The City is working with The Caring Place and the Ministerial Alliance to provide after-hours assistance in the form of emergency hotel stay vouchers for those needing shelter when temperatures are 32 degrees or below, or the temperature is 35 degrees or below and it is raining. Vouchers are limited.

During business hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday), people can call The Caring Place at 512-943-0700 and follow the prompts for basic needs assistance.

If someone needs assistance after-hours, and all other options have been exhausted, they can call the Police non-emergency line at 512-930-3510.

Curative COVID-19 testing site

The COVID-19 testing site located at 707 S. Martin Luther King Jr. St. (near the Georgetown Public Library) will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday for same-day molecular NAAT tests.

To schedule a same-day molecular NAAT test, which provides results in fewer than four hours, click here.

City response

Street crews continue to apply deicer treatment to bridges and the roads as needed. However, many icy spots remain since temperatures will remain below freezing tonight and tomorrow morning.

City staff have taken several steps to improve the resiliency of our utility infrastructure as a result of last year’s winter storm. For this storm, staff have placed generators at key City water facilities and are increasing water tank capacities to summer peak-demand levels.

7:15 a.m. Friday Update

7:15 a.m. Friday Update

Primary safety concerns today include travel and dangerously low temperatures. The ice on the roads is expected to remain on surfaces as windchill temperatures approach 0 degrees this morning. Street crews treated bridges and re-sanded areas in the City twice overnight, most recently at 2 a.m., and will continue to monitor and address needs throughout the day. Bridges in particular are icy this morning.

The National Weather Service predicts temperatures to reach just above freezing this afternoon, which should melt some of the ice. Temperatures will drop below freezing overnight, refreezing precipitation on surfaces and making travel unwise tonight and Saturday morning.

The NWS expects temperatures to reach and stay above freezing during the daytime this weekend, which should melt any residual precipitation. The forecast calls for overnight freezing temperatures through Tuesday.

Our area remains in a Winter Storm Warning until 10 a.m. and a Wind Chill Advisory until 9 a.m. today (Friday).

Texas Disposal Systems is running some of its Georgetown Thursday routes today, collecting solid waste and some recycling. The remaining routes and Friday routes are expected to be collected tomorrow. Please leave your carts on the curb and they will be collected. For questions about solid waste collection, call TDS at 512-930-1715.

City offices remain closed today. Most storm-response crews expect to return to normal on-call services beginning this evening. A decision about impacts to City services and facilities tomorrow is expected this afternoon.

More details, information, and resources below.

7 p.m. Thursday Update

Roads are and will remain unsafe to drive on through Friday, even as the Winter Storm Warning expires, and despite the National Weather Service anticipating no further precipitation. What has already fallen has frozen to the streets and will remain there at least through midday Friday, making travel treacherous. Georgetown first responders have been responding to an increasing amount of vehicle accidents, including on both north and southbound Interstate 35 Thursday evening. Please make every effort to avoid travel and use extreme caution if you must leave.

Additionally, pet owners need to bring their pets inside when temperatures and wind-chill dip below freezing, because they are in danger from hypothermia and frostbite. Georgetown animal control officers responded to several phone calls Thursday about dogs being left outside for long periods of time.

When temperatures are above freezing again, dogs and cats can be left outside if you make sure to provide a dry, draft-free shelter that is a) small enough to hold body heat and b) large enough for the animals to lie down. The housing also should have supplemental bedding or auxiliary heat and protection from wind and rain.

Report pets in the Georgetown city limits who are not being properly sheltered to animal control at 512-930-3510, ext. 6. Outside the city limits, contact Williamson County Animal Control at 512-864-8332.

4 p.m. Thursday Update

4 p.m. Thursday Update

City facilities will be closed Friday, Feb. 4. Essential personnel will continue responding to the storm, and non-essential employees who can work from home will continue to do so. See the full list of closures below. A decision about Saturday programs and services will be made Friday.

The ice that accumulated on surfaces Thursday is expected to remain through at least midday Friday, leading to hazardous travel conditions and increasing the potential for isolated power outages throughout the area. Please avoid travel outside your home through Friday if possible. Street crews continue to apply deicer treatment to bridges and the roads as needed. However, many icy spots remain as temperatures stay below freezing.

The National Weather Service expects the freezing conditions and dangerously low windchill temperatures to continue until midday Saturday. Please protect yourself from these dangerous temperatures by dressing warmly and staying home if you can or reaching out to community resources (listed below) if you need shelter.

The National Weather Service has placed the Austin region, including Georgetown, in a Wind Chill Advisory from 9 p.m. Thursday through 9 a.m. Friday. The Winter Storm Warning for our area expires at 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3. Follow NWS on Twitter, on Facebook, or online for the latest forecast information.

7 a.m. Thursday Update

The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warning in effect until 9 p.m. and a Flood Advisory until 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Single digit temperatures are expected & ice is starting to accumulate, making roads treacherous and increasing the potential for local power outages.

Crews have been placing sand on bridges and roadways around fire stations and St. David’s Georgetown Hospital since about 4 a.m.

Texas Disposal Systems solid waste and recycling pickup services have been cancelled for today. Today’s routes (Thursday) will be collected on Friday, and Friday’s routes will be collected on Saturday.

The next City update is expected this afternoon, including a decision on impacts to City services Friday.

More details, information, and resources below.

Solid Waste and Recycling Collection

Texas Disposal Systems is expected to announce Thursday evening whether the storm will affect Friday pickup services.

For questions about solid waste collection, call TDS at 512-930-1715.

GoGeo paratransit service

GoGeo paratransit service is canceled for Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3 and 4.

Curative COVID-19 testing site

The COVID-19 testing site located at 707 S. Martin Luther King Jr. St. (near the Georgetown Public Library) was closed Thursday. As of Thursday afternoon, Curative anticipated opening the testing site at 1 p.m. Friday.

COVID-19 testing is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, click here. To schedule a same-day molecular NAAT test, which provides results in fewer than four hours, click here.

Forecast

The National Weather Service expects dangerously low wind-chill temperatures to continue through Tuesday and icy conditions to continue through Saturday. Please note impacts to travel, risk of hypothermia, damage to exposed pipes, and isolated power outages are possible.

Electricity

As of Friday afternoon, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) continues to report sufficient generation in the state to meet the high demand as a result of the storm. ERCOT, the Texas energy grid operator, issued a winter weather watch in effect Feb. 2-6 due to the winter weather. In the news release on Feb. 2, ERCOT, “projects to have sufficient generation to meet the high demand for electricity.”

There is a chance for isolated or sporadic power outages due to ice and gusty winds. However, the City has taken steps to reduce the chance of outages on the Georgetown electric system related to equipment or power lines. Click here to read more about our winter-weather resiliency efforts.

If you are experiencing an outage, please first refer to our online outage maps to confirm we know about your outage. If you don’t see your location included in the outage, please call 512-930-3640 to report it. Please note calls may take longer to connect with the City’s outage system.

Many Georgetown residents may not have City electric. Other area providers include:

Oncor: https://stormcenter.oncor.com/

PEC: https://outages.pec.coop/dmsoutagemap/default.html

Water

There is a risk for damage to exposed pipes during this hard freeze, especially across the Hill Country. When water freezes, it expands and can burst the pipe.

You can help prevent damage to your own pipes by letting your faucets drip during extended periods of freezing temperatures. Leaving cabinet doors open in areas of water pipes can also help.

In the event of frozen pipes, it’s recommended that you turn off your water at the main shut-off valve to prevent additional damage when the pipes unfreeze. To learn how to find and operate your main shut-off valve, click here.

Generators have been placed at key City water facilities that were out during winter storm Uri. All equipment has been winterized. All water tanks are being taken up to high, summer peak-demand levels.

Roads

The Public Works Department transitioned to normal, on-call operations Friday. Crews began treating roads and bridges with anti-icing liquid applications Tuesday night and continued regularly through Friday evening.

City Response

Parks and Recreation

- Crews winterized and closed restrooms and water fountains Wednesday morning. Park restrooms and fountains will remain closed until Monday. Anti-icing liquid will be applied at recreation facilities as necessary. Some facilities will open at noon Saturday. Click here for more information regarding recreation facility closings.

Police and Fire

- Patrol is at full staff with additional officers ready to assist as needed.
- All fire and EMS have tire chains. Additional four-wheel drive units are on standby.

Resources

Shelter

A risk for hypothermia exists for those spending extended time outdoors and not dressed in layers and gloves.

During business hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday), please call The Caring Place at 512-943-0700 and follow the prompts for basic needs assistance and someone will return your call.

If you need assistance after-hours, and all other options have been exhausted, please call the Police Non-Emergency Line at 512-930-3510.

Additionally, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office has opened a warming and charging center at 508 S. Rock Street in Georgetown for those without power.

Animal care

People need to bring their pets inside when temperatures and wind-chill dip below freezing, because pets are in danger from hypothermia and frostbite. Georgetown animal control officers have been responding to several reports of dogs being left outside for long periods of time.

Weather Updates

Sign up with WarnCentralTexas.org to receive emergency weather updates.
Weather maps and current forecasts can be found on the Austin/San Antonio National Weather Service.

Road Conditions

Check road conditions at atxfloods.com/closures or drivetexas.org before traveling.

Local Outages

Click here to check for outages in the Georgetown service area.
For additional information on what you can do during an outage, visit the Red Cross Power Outage.

City Social Media

Other

Now is a good time to update the contact information on your utility account. Click here to find out how and make sure we are able to contact you in case of an emergency.
Have a family emergency plan. Click here to start.
The risk for hypothermia exists for those spending extended amounts of time outdoors. Make sure you have dressed appropriately in layers, hats, and gloves: https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather#safe
Protect people, pets, plants, & pipes: https://bit.ly/2Jx3SJ7