Prepare for the coming freeze

Santa Claus isn’t the only thing that’s coming to town later this week; Austin is also due to be visited by a bitter Arctic freeze, with temps predicted to dip as low as 16 degrees on Friday night. The city’s office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management urges community members to do whatever’s necessary to be prepared in advance. As HSEM Director Juan Ortiz said in a news release, “The most important gift you can give your family this season is to get prepared in advance of anticipated chilly temperatures. As you prepare for time with your loved ones please make sure you included winter weather preparations as part of your holiday weekend plans.” Before you do anything, sign up for Warn Central Texas, which sends emergency alerts to your smartphone in the event of, well, an emergency. Then put your emergency supply kit together – here’s a handy checklist. And download Austin Water’s winter weather preparedness tips, which tells you how to winterize your home. For more tips on winter preparedness, visit ReadyCentralTexas.org.