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Whispers
Thursday, February 25, 2021 by Tai Moses
Barton Springs Pool opens today
It’s not your imagination: Last week Central Texas was plunged into a frozen nightmare of subfreezing temperatures and pointy icicles. But, today the sun is shining and it’s time to go swimming! In fact, after being closed due to the “Severe Weather Emergency,” Barton Springs Pool and Deep Eddy Pool are reopening today, Thursday. Admission to both pools is free until further notice. Find pool hours of operation here. Barton Springs will close again from March 1-12 for “regularly scheduled maintenance” that includes removing some gravel from the pool “in an effort to return the pool to its natural depth.” Workers still have some storm damage to repair at Big Stacy, Bartholomew and Springwood pools, which will be closed until the structural and plumbing repairs are completed.
Thursday, February 25, 2021 by Tai Moses
It’s safe to wash your car again
Now that water service and electricity have been restored to nearly everyone in the county, Travis County Judge Andy Brown has rescinded two severe-weather orders made last week to conserve water and power. As of today, car-washing businesses may resume normal operations, and the restrictions on using exterior lighting have been rescinded. And with the lights back on, everyone can see clearly just how dirty all the cars are.
Editor’s Note: Andy Brown is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 by Tai Moses
TPWD asks public to report wildlife deaths
There is no HEB for birds and wildlife. Throughout the year, wild creatures spend every waking hour foraging for food for themselves and their young. When there is not enough food, animals die. Winter storm Uri created such perilous conditions for wildlife in Central Texas that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is asking community members to report “any animal mortality events they observe on their property, ranches, or in their neighborhoods” in an effort to help wildlife biologists who are studying the impacts of the storm on natural resources. Submit your reports to iNaturalist. According to TPWD, “The prolonged period of subfreezing temperatures, coupled with a limited availability of food resources due to snow and ice, has had some impact on wildlife resources; however, given the secretive nature of most wildlife species, the full extent of the impact cannot yet be determined.” Many dead or downed bats have been found as well as dead songbirds, waterfowl and woodpeckers. The department is most concerned about native deer who rely on vegetation that has lost foliage due to the freeze. According to the news release, “TPWD is hopeful that, despite the cold temperatures, the moisture from the snow and ice was able to be absorbed by the soil and as temperatures warm up, the usual spring green-up will take place statewide.” Travis County residents who find downed bats, birds or other wildlife in need of assistance can find a list of wildlife rescue and rehab groups here.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 by Tai Moses
City submits catastrophe notice
On Monday the city submitted a catastrophe notice to the state attorney general. A catastrophe notice allows city departments that are dealing with a natural disaster, such as winter storm Uri, to suspend public information requests so they can focus their attention on providing “life-saving assistance” to residents. According to the announcement, “Departments whose operations were not affected by the winter weather will continue to respond to public information requests under normal procedures. These notice provisions were passed by the Texas Legislature in 2019 in response to Hurricane Harvey. Several governmental entities have used this procedure during the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This extreme winter weather event is the first time the city of Austin has implemented this notice.”
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
Call for help cleaning up after the storms
Now that winter storm Uri has passed, residents are tasked with cleaning up the damage it caused. To aid in the recovery, the Austin Disaster Relief Network is coordinating a volunteer effort with Central Texas VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters) and Crisis Clean Up in Bastrop, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties, Austin and Round Rock. Anyone who needs help cleaning their home or debris is encouraged to call 1-800-329-8052 for help from volunteers. The hotline will be open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m. Homeowners can register for assistance until Tuesday, March 2. “Hundreds of residents across the region have suffered tremendous damage during this past week of snow and ice,” ADRN Executive Director Daniel Geraci said. “Homes flooded as frozen pipes burst, and several houses were damaged or lost in fires caused by space heaters. These are devastating circumstances and we can come together as a community to help these people recover and rebuild so they can return to safe and clean homes.”
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 by Jo Clifton
Advice for dealing with downed trees
Many Austinites are seeing downed tree limbs, potholes and poorly functioning traffic signals. In order to report any of these things, call 311 or 512-974-2000 or submit a request through the 311 app. Austin Resource Recovery customers with small branches no longer than 5 feet and no thicker than 3 inches in diameter can set these items out in manageable stacks with their weekly composting collection. For larger items, customers should submit a storm service request using the following large brush set-out guidelines:
- Brush should be between 5 and 15 feet in length.
- Tree trunks more than 8 inches in diameter should be 3 feet long or less.
- Cut ends should face the street.
- Stack loosely along the curb in one row, not more than 15 feet across and no higher than 4 feet.
- Do not block the sidewalk.
- Do not extend into the street.
- To prevent damage to your property, keep items 5 feet away from your trash cart, mailbox, fences or walls, water meter, telephone connection box and parked cars.
- Do not place any items under low-hanging tree limbs or power lines.
- Items will not be collected if they are in an alley in any area including Hyde Park, or if they are in front of a business or a vacant lot.
According to ARR, “The city has created a webpage to help Austinites with resources and information related to the impact of winter storm Uri. One link you will find leads to the Austin Disaster Relief page, which plans to assist with major cleanup efforts, including downed trees, etc.”
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 by Tai Moses
County bans car washes during water crisis
Over the weekend, Travis County Judge Andy Brown issued an order prohibiting car-washing services due to the water shortage. While many residents have had their water service restored, thousands are still under a boil-water notice. The order prohibits businesses “from providing vehicle washing services until Feb. 25 so as to allow for water supplies to replenish and water pressure to be restored throughout Travis County.” Those caught violating the order could be slapped with a fine of up to $1,000.
Editor’s Note: Andy Brown is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, which is the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 by Tai Moses
Frost damage? Green Aggies to the rescue!
A team of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension experts called the Green Aggies are hosting an emergency webinar on Friday, Feb. 26, at 4 p.m. designed “to address questions and concerns related to recovering turfgrass and plants in urban landscapes and gardens following the winter storm.” All those with urban landscape are encouraged to attend, as “The information could be helpful in forming a recovery/response plan for their home garden, turfgrass or landscape.” Said ornamental horticulturist and panelist Mengmeng Gu, “This winter storm is one of the coldest and longest we’ve experienced in Texas. This meeting will cover some topics on recognizing freezing plant injury and how to respond.” Also on the panel are a turf pathologist, a plant pathologist, an urban water specialist, a turfgrass specialist and more. Register here to attend via Zoom.
Monday, February 22, 2021 by Tai Moses
City manager calls emergency meeting
City Manager Spencer Cronk has scheduled a special called meeting of City Council this Thursday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. City staffers will provide a briefing on the “recent severe weather event and ongoing recovery and relief efforts” as well as an update on Covid-19 vaccine delivery. Other items to be discussed include an ordinance “waiving residential permitting and development fees related to repairing or reconstructing structures, and removing trees and tree limbs damaged as a result of winter weather events.” Find the full meeting agenda here. Visit the Council Meeting Information Center for instructions on public participation in Council meetings.
Monday, February 22, 2021 by Tai Moses
AISD meal service resumes
Austin ISD is holding a free meal service for children and their caregivers today from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m at 25 school campuses. Find the list of school pickup locations here. AISD’s regular curbside meal service resumes this Thursday, Feb. 25, with free meal packs for all kids under 19. (Kids do not have to be enrolled in AISD to receive meals.) Free meals for caregivers are also available for any adults accompanying the children. Adults may receive meal packs without kids present as long as they have documentation for the children (birth certificate, student ID card, report card or attendance record). Find out more details the school district’s meal program here.
Monday, February 22, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
Curbside collection resumes today
After a pause in operations due to dangerous winter weather, Austin Resource Recovery will resume curbside collection today. The city asks that carts, bulk and large brush be set out on your scheduled pickup day, but notes that it might take a while to catch up. So if your trash is not collected, leave it at the curb as crews work over the next week. Because of the hold on collections last week, customers may have excess. In that case, Austin Resource Recovery asks that you do the following:
Recycling: Once your blue cart is full, place additional recyclables in a cardboard box or other reusable container next to your cart.
Composting: Once your green cart is full, use lawn and leaf bags or a reusable container that is no larger than 34 gallons and no heavier than 50 pounds for any excess material, and place them beside the cart.
Trash: Once your brown cart is full, place any extra bagged household trash from your missed collection beside your cart.
Monday, February 22, 2021 by Elizabeth Pagano
Development Services, at your service
Starting today, the city’s Development Services Department will have a “dedicated team of permitting experts” on hand to help residents who are repairing damage caused by last week’s storms. In an effort to make the process as smooth as possible, the city has created a new web page that explains what work requires permits. A team of people equipped to answer specific repair questions can be reached at 512-974-1500, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.