City prepares for freeze

With freezing temperatures in the forecast, the city and its partners are opening their cold weather shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Those in need of shelter tonight are encouraged to go to One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to register. Capital Metro will be providing transportation to the shelters, which are located off-site. Crews from Public Works and Transportation will be out monitoring road and bridge conditions 24 hours a day until Saturday. Residents are advised to avoid all unnecessary travel, if possible, and everyone is advised to plan ahead in case of emergency. According to a city news release, while this week’s storm “is not expected to be as impactful as Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 … hard freezes, cold wind chill values and a potential wintry mix of precipitation are all possible.” If you’ve been putting off getting a Covid test or vaccination, now is not the time. Austin Public Health testing and vaccine sites, including the new site at Metz Elementary, will be closed Thursday and Friday due to the winter storm warning. The testing site at George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center will have a delayed start on Saturday and will run from noon to 4 p.m.