Frozen pipes are one of the most common — and most costly — problems that come with a hard freeze. A little preparation before temperatures drop can save you a major headache later. What to know Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks to let warm air reach the pipes Let faucets drip — moving water freezes more slowly Disconnect hoses, insulate outdoor faucets and pipes Know where your water shutoff is — turn it off at the first sign of a broken pipe Never use a pr

Pets cannot protect themselves from the cold. Bring them inside, make sure they have fresh water, and never leave them in a parked car during cold weather. What to know Bring pets inside — the safest place for them is a warm, dry, heated space Never leave pets in unattended vehicles during cold weather Make sure pets have fresh, unfrozen drinking water at all times Details During extreme cold, get your pets indoors and keep them there. A parked car in freezing weather acts li

The safest place to be during extreme winter weather is indoors. If you have to go out, be prepared. And no matter what, check on the people around you. What to know Stay indoors whenever possible Keep your phone and devices fully charged — they may be your only communication if power goes out If you go outside, dress in layers and protect your head, hands, neck, face, and ears Wear closed-toe shoes with nonskid or lug soles on ice or snow Never use an oven, stove, grill, or

Having a stocked emergency kit means you can shelter in place through a winter storm without having to go out for supplies. Build yours around the specific needs of everyone in your household — including your pets. What to know Start with the basics: food, water, hygiene items, first aid supplies, and personal documents Think about everyone in your household — including children, elderly family members, people with medical conditions, and pets Make sure you have enough medica

Do not wait for it to get cold outside to start getting ready. The City of Austin offers a simple framework to help you cover the basics before a freeze hits: the 4 P's — People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants. What to know People: dress in layers before going outside; never heat your home with a generator, grill, or fuel-burning device — these produce deadly carbon monoxide Pets: bring them inside Pipes: insulate or cover exposed pipes, turn off outside faucets, drip one faucet if

The READYCENTRALTX app is a free tool built for Central Texas residents to help you prepare for and respond to emergencies — including winter storms. Download it now, before you need it. What to know Free — available for iPhone and Android Includes interactive checklists, videos, and electronic guides More information at: https://www.austintexas.gov/readycentraltexas/stay-informed#app Details The READYCENTRALTX app gives you critical guidance and resources to help you stay sa

If the power goes out, NOAA Weather Radio keeps broadcasting. A battery-powered weather radio is one of the most reliable ways to stay informed during a winter storm when your phone and internet may not be working. What to know NOAA Weather Radio covers the Austin area Channel 1 on weather alert radios Radio frequency: 162.400 More information at weather.gov Details NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts continuous weather alerts for the Austin area. Tune in on channel 1 of a weather