Updated at Feb. 17, 4:44 p.m.: Promiseland Church located at 1054 E. 52st Str., Austin has been added to the list of warming shelters, according to an update from Austin Disaster Relief Network. Additionally, the sheltered hosted at Mosaic Church is no longer available.
As inclement weather and widespread electricity outages persist throughout the Central Texas region, thousands of residents have been left without power and the ability to heat their homes.
Icy conditions spurred additional challenges such as frozen or burst pipes, which have created unsafe conditions for families.
As of roughly 11 a.m. on Feb. 17, Austin Energy reported a total of 258 outages impacting 182,881 customers or 64.31% of the utility agency’s total customer base.
In light of an ice storm that occurred overnight, Austin Energy told customers it is now facing two emergency events creating additional outages throughout the city.
As a result of these conditions, warming centers have been established by the city of Austin within school campuses, among other facilities.EMERGENCY OUTAGE UPDATE at 7:30 a.m.: Due to the ice storm, we are now in two emergency events.
1. We still haves outages to help maintain ERCOT's electric grid.
2. The ice storm is now causing more outages throughout our service area.
(1/4) — Austin Energy (@austinenergy) February 17, 2021
Austin and Travis County officials also reached out to the Austin Disaster Relief Network to operate additional warming shelters within the region’s churches, according to a Feb. 16 ADRN news release.
ADRN launched a webpage Feb. 16 that will be updated frequently regarding shelters, which will be open 24/7. Those seeking shelter are asked to bring a change of clothes, blankets, pillows, toiletries, food and water.
Several of the churches are accommodating families with pets as long as animals can be created throughout their stay, according to ADRN.
Church shelters:
The Austin Stone-Northwest Campus 1150 McNeil Road, Round Rock
Friendship Creekside
14455 FM 1826, Austin
Hope Chapel
1508 Ruth Ave., Austin
Mosaic Church
12675 Research Blvd., Austin
Point Community Church
11300 Old San Antonio Road, Manchaca
Hill Country Bible Church
12124 N. RM 620, Austin
University Ave Church of Christ
1903 University Ave., Austin