Stay Warm This Weekend!

We’ve all seen the forecast for the next few days – it’s going to be cold! We’ve got some tips for you below, in addition to a survey and a development update (we’ll all have a little extra time this weekend for additional reading!). Please check in on your neighbors over the weekend, especially those that are elderly or might need a little extra help. Take care!

The Four P’s of Winter Weather Safety

•PEOPLE: Dress in layers before going outside. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or any gasoline, propane, or charcoal-burning devices indoors—they produce deadly carbon monoxide.

•PETS: Bring pets inside during freezing weather. Outdoor animals need weatherproof shelter, dry bedding, and unfrozen water.

•PIPES: Insulate exposed pipes, turn off outside faucets, and drip only ONE faucet if needed (the one farthest from your main shutoff valve).

•PLANTS: Cover plants or bring them indoors.

Protect Your Water System

•Locate Your Water Shutoff: Know where your water main shutoff valve is located (usually at your water meter box). Keep it clear of debris. You may need a water meter key (available at hardware stores).

•Weatherize Pipes: Insulate pipes in unheated areas like attics and garages. Wrap outside faucets with towels or Styrofoam insulators. Hardware stores carry pipe insulation.

•Drip Faucets Properly: If pipes may freeze, drip ONE cold water faucet slowly (the one farthest from your shutoff valve). A slow drip is enough—not a running trickle. Capture dripped water for reuse.

•Turn Off Irrigation: Turn off and drain automatic sprinkler systems. Disconnect hoses from outside faucets.

•Seal Drafts: Repair broken or drafty windows, doors, and walls. Close garage doors during the freeze.

Power Outage & Electrical Safety

•During Outages: Unplug appliances and turn off most lights to avoid overloading circuits when power returns. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.

•Space Heaters: If using electric space heaters, ensure they have automatic shut-off switches and keep them at least three feet from anything flammable.

•Never Heat Your Home With: Gas ovens, grills, generators indoors, or any device not designed for indoor heating. Never burn paper in fireplaces.

•Downed Power Lines: Never go near downed power lines. Call 311 to report; call 911 if sparking.

Driving Safety

•Stay home if possible. If you must drive: treat dark traffic signals as all-way stops, avoid bridges and overpasses, check tire pressure and tread, ensure windshield wipers and lights work, and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle (jumper cables, flashlight, ice scraper, phone charger, sand or cat litter for traction).

Emergency Preparedness

•Build an Emergency Kit: Include water (1 gallon per person/pet per day for 7 days), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, phone chargers, and warm clothes.

•Check on Neighbors: Look out for elderly residents, families with young children, and anyone who may need assistance.

Stay Informed

•Download the Ready Central Texas app (iPhone or Android)

•Sign up at warncentraltexas.org for neighborhood alerts

•Visit austintexas.gov/alerts for emergency information

•Follow @AustinHSEM on social media

•Report power outages: text OUT to 287846 or visit outagemap.austinenergy.com

•Austin Water 24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 512-972-1000, Option 1

•Call 311 for non-emergency city services

•Call 911 only for emergencies

Know Your Rights Survey

If you have a few free moments during this cold weekend, please consider responding to this survey. Austin Police Oversight (APO) is conducting a citywide research effort to better understand what Know Your Rights information Austinites need—and how they can deliver it in ways that are accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to community experiences.

Here is the community survey(9-10 minutes to complete).

To learn more about this effort and additional ways to be involved, please visit the Know Your Rights page on Speak Up Austin.

Thank you!

YMCA Town Lake PUD Update

This weekend will also be a good time to catch up on neighborhood developments. You may have heard about the proposed redevelopment of the Town Lake YMCA site.

OWANA submitted a series of questions about the proposed redevelopment to Mayor Kirk Watson, per his request. Folks have been asking, “What is the feedback on these questions?”.

OWANA has no responses yet from the developer. We are currently waiting to learn more information about the proposed PUD (Planned Unit Development), for example, we are waiting to hear about the transportation study.

Here is a link to the PUD questions and info shared in past OWL newsletters.

Please provide your questions and comments using this form.

For more on the OWANA Zoning Committee’s work, including past success working with developers, please see owana.org/zoning.

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