AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Both the City of Austin and Travis County issued local disaster declarations Sunday, ahead of a historic winter storm that has virtually paralyzed Central Texas.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown signed the declarations Sunday evening. They'll last for no more than seven days, through Feb. 21.
"The winter weather conditions we are experiencing are serious and can be deadly if we don’t all take precautions," Brown said in a statement. "We encourage everyone to seek shelter and stay off the roads unless it is an emergency."
Officials are urging residents to stay off the roads and stay home unless absolutely necessary. The city and county's joint Emergency Operations Center is activated, coordinating the response at both the city and county level.
"Please help our emergency responders by staying home and off the roads,” Adler said in a statement. "We are also concerned about our energy supply. Please conserve energy by turning down thermostats to 68-degrees, closing shades & blinds to reduce heat lost through windows, & turning off & unplugging non-essential lights and appliances."