Update: freeze warning remains in effect for Central Texas, power outages remain sporadic
"Another hard freeze is in store for tonight into Christmas morning," the National Weather Service said in a bulletin Saturday.
Temperatures are expected to be above freezing Saturday afternoon but another hard freeze is expected through Sunday. The hard freeze warning remains in effect for all of South-Central Texas through 10 a.m. on Sunday, the bulletin read.
Saturday is expected to see temperatures in the the low 40s and high 30s with sunshine. On Sunday temperatures will be between the low 20s and low 50's.
Through out the upcoming week temperatures will continue to warm "with the help of abundant sunshine," the bulletin said. Monday will see temperatures between the high 20s and low 60s. On Tuesday temperatures will range from the high 20s and low 60s. Tuesday and Wednesday will see temperatures in the low 30s, 40s and high 60s.
Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to 17 cold weather exposure calls on Thursday. Medics did not receive any calls related to carbon monoxide exposure that day. On Friday EMS responded to 41 weather exposure calls and 24 shelter transport calls. Medics received two calls related to carbon monoxide exposure on Friday.
More:People seeking warmth fill Austin overnight warming shelters during freezing weather
Austin-Travis County EMS initially set up three shelters Thursday evening, then opened a fourth location overnight in response to high demand. Officials said they anticipate a higher volume of people Friday night.
Meanwhile, electricity seems to be on in most of the Austin area. As of Saturday afternoon, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state's power grid, said conditions were still in good shape, with demand below available capacity and "sufficient generation to meet demand."
As of Saturday afternoon, Austin Energy only reported three active outages affecting 22 customers, less than 1% of its total customers. Pedernales Electric Cooperative reported four outages affecting 63 customers.
In preparation for had freezes the city has opened registration for overnight shelters. Registration is available from 6-8 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road. From there, people will be transported to nearby overnight shelters. Pets that are not aggressive and can sleep with their owners are welcome.
Daytime warming centers will also be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the following locations: Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane; Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.; Turner Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Drive; George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Drive. Pets are not allowed inside the daytime warming centers, but facility staff can contact Animal Services to provide pet support.
Other organizations across Austin will also offer shelter and warming centers.
The Austin Firefighters Association also took people in overnight. Bob Nicks of the Austin Firefighters Association said the organization housed almost 20 people Thursday and can take up to 30. Those in need can call 512-217-3474 for a ride and more information.
The Austin Area Urban League is also staffing a 24-hour hotline for those in need at 512-478-7176.
In Williamson County, the city of Leander opened a temporary warming center at Life Church at 1393 Woodview Drive. The warming center is open 24 hours daily while the cold weather persists, although it is not equipped for people to sleep overnight, said Mike Neu, a city spokesman.
Any updates on shelters, warming centers and other changes will be announced at austintexas.gov/alerts.
Pedernales Electric Cooperative reports 5 outages, impacting 10 customers as of 10:30 a.m. Austin Electric reports six outages, impacting 28 customers. Both are significant declines from previous nights.
Staff writer Luz Moreno-Lozano contributed to this report.
More:How to prepare for the Austin freeze and future winter weather
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Freeze warning remain in effect for Central Texas
