Austin Freeze + Ice: How to Prep Your Home (and What to Do if It Gets Bad)
When Austin dips below 32°F and it’s wet, we’re not just dealing with “cold” — we’re dealing with ice. Ice can knock out power, freeze pipes, and turn small maintenance issues into expensive repairs. This guide focuses on the practical, high-ROI steps that protect your home.
Why prep matters: February 2021 (Winter Storm Uri) reminded Texans how quickly winter weather can escalate — including grid strain, widespread outages, and major property damage. This isn’t fear; it’s smart homeownership.
The 24–48 hour home prep checklist
1) Protect pipes
- Disconnect hoses & cover exterior faucets
- Wrap exposed pipes (garage/outside walls)
- Open sink cabinets on exterior walls
- Locate your main water shutoff before you need it
2) Prep for outages
- Charge phones + battery banks
- Set out flashlights/headlamps (avoid candles)
- Freeze water bottles (helps keep the fridge cold)
- Keep the gas tank at least half full
3) Heat safely
- Space heaters: keep 3 feet from anything flammable
- Never run grills, camp stoves, or generators indoors/garages
- Test smoke/CO detectors
If things get bad: what to do first
- Report outages and stay far away from downed lines.
- Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage when power returns.
- Keep fridge/freezer closed as much as possible.
- Pick a “warm room” and close off unused rooms.
- If you see water where it shouldn’t be: shut off the main and call a plumber.
Where can you go if you lose power?
- City Cold Weather Shelter Hotline: 512-972-5055
- Warming centers: Austin Public Library branches and Parks & Rec facilities often serve as warming centers during regular hours.
- CapMetro: When shelters activate, CapMetro can offer fare-free rides to One Texas Center.
Optional links for your editor:
• City alerts: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/homeland-security-and-emergency-management/alerts
• CapMetro weather: https://www.capmetro.org/weather
• Austin Energy outages: https://austinenergy.com/outages
Realtor note (how I help clients during freezes)
If you’re out of town, have a vacant listing, or manage rentals, winter weather is when small issues become big problems fast. I can coordinate pre-freeze walkthroughs, vendor dispatch (plumber/handyman), and post-storm checks so your property stays protected.
Printable one-page homeowner checklist
Need a quick “freeze-proof” walkthrough?
Text or DM me “FREEZE” and I’ll send the one-page checklist + help you make a plan for your specific home.
