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Austin's Resilience: Lessons Learned from 2021 Winter Storm

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2026/ .. ence-lessons-learned-from-2021-winter-storm.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 10:44 GMT by Austin American-Statesman
      Locales: Texas, UNITED STATES

A City Transformed: Resilience Built on Hard Lessons The February 2021 winter storm exposed critical vulnerabilities in Austin's infrastructure. The Texas power grid failure led to widespread electricity outages, and the resulting lack of heating caused pipes to freeze and burst, leading to widespread water shortages. The city was plunged into crisis, with residents facing long lines for dwindling supplies and a struggle to maintain basic necessities.

Since then, city leaders have undertaken a series of measures aimed at bolstering Austin's resilience. These include improvements to the power grid, upgrades to water infrastructure to minimize the risk of pipe bursts, and enhanced emergency response planning. The Austin Water utility has invested significantly in identifying and reinforcing vulnerable sections of the water distribution system, and efforts have been made to diversify energy sources and improve grid stability.

Preparing Your Home and Family: A Checklist for Austinites

The city is urging residents to take immediate steps to protect themselves and their property. Key recommendations include:

• Pipe Protection: This remains a top priority. Residents are advised to wrap exposed pipes with insulating materials or allow faucets to drip slowly during freezing temperatures to prevent them from bursting. Knowing the location of your main water shut-off valve is also crucial.
• Road Safety: If travel is unavoidable, residents are urged to exercise extreme caution. Roads and sidewalks are expected to become icy and hazardous. Slowing down, increasing following distance, and avoiding unnecessary trips are strongly recommended. Check [ DriveTexas ] for up-to-date road conditions before venturing out.
• Vulnerable Populations: Checking on elderly neighbors, family members with health conditions, and those with limited mobility is paramount. Ensure they have adequate supplies and a safe, warm place to shelter.
• Pet Safety: Bring pets indoors to protect them from the cold. Animals are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, just like humans.
• Emergency Supplies: Residents should have a readily accessible emergency kit containing essentials such as flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, blankets, and medications.
• Power Outage Preparedness: Charge electronic devices fully and consider having a backup power source, such as a generator (used safely and according to manufacturer instructions).

Beyond Immediate Preparations: Long-Term Infrastructure Investments

The city's commitment to winter weather preparedness extends beyond immediate responses. Austin is actively exploring long-term solutions, including investments in "smart" water infrastructure that can detect leaks and automatically shut off water flow in affected areas. There are also ongoing discussions about increasing the city's capacity to generate renewable energy, reducing reliance on the vulnerable power grid.

Residents can find comprehensive information on winter storm preparedness, including FAQs, emergency contacts, and real-time updates, on the city's dedicated website: [ https://www.austintexas.gov/department/winter-weather-preparedness ]. The city's 3-1-1 call center is also available 24/7 to answer questions and provide assistance.