On Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 10 and 11, residents can get help preparing for emergencies with information, demonstrations and giveaway items at the north and south locations of the City of Austin Utilities Customer Service Centers. The city is providing meter keys, hose bib covers, hand-crank flashlights, solar-powered device chargers, emergency preparedness kit materials and winter preparedness tip sheets. A number of city departments are getting in on the effort: Austin Energy will provide free solar phone chargers and info on staying safe during a power outage; Austin Water will have free water shutoff keys or insulated faucet covers help avoid property damage caused by freezing temperatures; and the Austin Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will help folks build emergency preparedness kits. The city advises arriving early because quantities are limited.
UCSC — North
8–11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, or while supplies last
8716 Research Blvd., Suite 115
UCSC — South
8–11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, or while supplies last
1901 W. William Cannon Dr., Suite 100
For more information on preparing for emergencies, check out ReadyCentralTexas.org. The city also reminds people to tune in for emergency alerts by:
- Downloading the Ready Central Texas mobile app.
- Signing up for Emergency Alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org.
- Registering for Austin Energy’s Outage Alerts by texting REG to 287846
- Bookmarking COAUtilities.com, austinwater.org, austinenergy.com and outagemap.austinenergy.com.
- Signing up for Austin Water’ My ATX Water customer portal.