Austin Mayor Kirk Watson declared a preemptive local state of disaster on Thursday, January 22, 2026, in anticipation of severe winter weather impacting Central Texas, including Austin. The move comes as a winter storm warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Saturday to noon Sunday, with forecasts predicting accumulating ice from freezing rain, dangerously low temperatures, and hazardous icy conditions starting Saturday evening. This declaration allows the city to mobilize resources more quickly, respond efficiently, and organize behind the scenes should a disaster develop from the incoming freeze.
The mayor urged residents to prepare by protecting people, pets, pipes, and plants—checking on vulnerable neighbors, bringing pets indoors, insulating exposed pipes and outdoor faucets, winterizing water heaters, and covering or moving sensitive plants inside. Officials warned against using generators, grills, or any fuel-burning devices indoors due to carbon monoxide risks, and advised residents to limit time outside while staying informed through resources like ReadyCentralTexas.org and signing up for alerts at warncentraltexas.org. The storm is expected to create widespread slick roads and potential disruptions across the region.
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