Central Texas grapples with icy roads as winter storm leaves behind hazardous conditions

AUSTIN, Texas — Central Texans woke up to icy roads, sidewalks and yards this morning after the worst of the winter storm blew through the region overnight.

The region is now facing slick driving conditions, though few residents lost power during the freeze.

TxDOT is asking drivers to stay off the streets due to icy road conditions, saying that only essential personnel and emergency responders should be on roadways.

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Temperatures are likely to not go above the 20s today, meaning that roads will probably remain icy through at least Monday morning.

The Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center will remain activated today, the City of Austin confirmed, as winter weather and cold temperatures impact the region.

The City says that Ice and Winter Storm Warnings continue to be in effect through noon, while an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through Monday.

Crews across the region are working to help mitigate freezing road conditions. In Pflugerville, crews are adding salt and sand to high-traffic roads and intersections, as well as prioritizing public safety locations such as hospitals and fire stations.

In Round Rock, trucks were seen plowing ice off of I-35.

Marble Falls police say the roads are “all ice” and have announced road closures while crews work the roads.

PHOTO GALLERY | Central Texas hit with winter storm

CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco says that sleet and the lack of frozen rain may have saved the Austin area from widespread power outages.

Austin Energy is reporting almost no outages citywide as of 6 a.m. Sunday morning. PEC says that about 700 customers are without power in neighborhoods near Lake LBJ.

The City of Austin says that Austin Energy crews are continuing to work around the clock, though the City also says that the utility did not experience any major impacts as of Sunday morning.

School districts in central Texas are already announcing closures on Monday due to the icy conditions.

The City says that over 650 people stayed in six cold weather shelters across Austin overnight. The City will be activating those shelters again on Sunday night.

The Austin Public Library is also extending hours for three branches on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to serve as Warming Centers.

The City of Manor says they will be opening a warming center for residents at City Hall on Sunday.

Austin Animal Services will remain closed on Sunday, though staff will remain on site to ensure animal care through the cold.