Declared state of disaster
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell declared a state of disaster Feb. 14, and the county’s emergency operations center has been activated, according to a news release.
The city of Georgetown also issued a declaration of disaster Feb. 14. This will allow city of Georgetown emergency management personnel and other emergency services servicing Georgetown to take extraordinary measures to "alleviate and prevent suffering of people and to protect or rehabilitate property," the declaration read.
Power outages
Rolling power outages will continue “as extreme winter weather forces generating units offline” across Texas, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
Georgetown residents should be prepared for electric outages as the winter storm rolls through the area. Electric crews are on standby to respond to outages resulting from ice on the power lines, but due to the severity of weather and the condition of the statewide grid, rotating outages are lasting longer than the expected 45 minutes. Expect the rotating outages to last 60 minutes, according to the city of Georgetown website.
Residents are urged to not call 911 to report outages. Instead, Pedernales Electric Cooperative customers can call 888-883-3379 to report an outage.
An outage map can be viewed here.
“If an interruption occurs in your area, please take proactive steps for power restoration,” a PEC release stated. “All electrical appliances affected by the service disruption should be turned off, as well as circuit breakers to major appliances. Once power is restored members can avoid electrical overload by turning their appliances back on in 15-minute intervals."
To report a downed tree limb on power lines, email [email protected]. Crews will focus on removing tree limbs that are on power lines and blocking travel lanes on major roadways. Tree limbs on residential driveways and streets will be addressed as crews are available, the city's website said.
Road closures
Georgetown police and officials urge residents to stay off the roads as much as possible. While city crews continue to work around the clock to make sure roads are passable for first responders, city officials are asking all others remain off the road.
Please be aware of the road conditions over the next few days and use caution when out on the roads. Please avoid being out on the roads if you don’t absolutely have to be. Stay safe out there. pic.twitter.com/yeaiuuHAJb
— Georgetown TX PD (@GeorgetownTXPD) February 11, 2021
Find more information on road closures here.
City facilities closed
While essential operations continue, several city facilities are closed to the public Feb. 15. They include:
- Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
- Animal Shelter, 110 W.L. Walden Drive
- City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
- Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243
- Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300 Industrial Ave.
- Municipal Court, 510 W. Ninth St.
- Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
- Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King, Jr. St.
- Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St.
- Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records and Fire Support Services, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
- Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
- Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive
- Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive
- Village Pool, 370 Village Commons Blvd.
- Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.
Conserve energy
State and local officials are asking residents can help conserve energy. They can do so by:
- turning down thermostats to 68 degrees;
- turning off and unplugging nonessential lights and appliances;
- not using large appliances;
- closing shades and blinds; and
- close off doors to, and air vents in, unused rooms.
With temperatures expected to fall below zero with the windchill, city officials ask residents to do what they can to protect people, pets, plants and pipes.
