Conserve Water
City of Buda is asking our water customers to limit water usage as much as possible. Due to a loss of power at GBRA of Texas (our surface water supplier), we are currently running the water system on groundwater wells with limited power supply availability. Please conserve water during this period until surface water power is restored. Crews have been working continuously for several days to maintain adequate services and we appreciate your compliance.
Power Outages
Mayor Lee Urbanovsky and Buda City officials have been in touch with Pedernales Electric Cooperative several times throughout the day relaying all of your messages. We have been told that this is a statewide issue complicated by rolling blackouts.
If your power comes back on, please conserve energy. If your power remains out, please dress warmly. Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothing. Stuff towels and rags in cracks under doors. Please continue to reach out to PEC.
Message from Pedernales Electric Cooperative
Some PEC members are experiencing extended outages. Please know, we won’t rest until all members have electric service. PEC outages resulting from severe weather, in addition to state-mandated service interruptions, are making it extremely difficult to provide the service members rely on. Unfortunately, we cannot say when power will be restored. We ask for your patience over the next few days while we continue to work through these challenges. Visit https://pec.coop for the latest information.
Please continue to monitor Pedernales Electric Cooperative (PEC) at www.pec.coop for the latest information, and follow PEC on Facebook and Twitter.
Pedernales Electric Outage Map
https://outages.pec.coop/dmsoutagemap/default.html
Call 1-888-883-3379 to report an outage.
Road Closures
You can visit drivetexas.org for updates on current road conditions.
Tips for Stranded Drivers
If you must drive due to extenuating circumstances and become stranded, Hays County dispatch will be asking the following questions:
• What is your vehicle description?
• How many occupants are with you?
• How much gas does your vehicle have?
• Do you have access to a cell phone charger?
They will dispatch first responders to you but there is no guarantee that they can reach you. If you choose to abandon your vehicle, try to get it off the roadway as best as possible and remove all your personal belongings. Call dispatch back to let them know that you are leaving your vehicle. Do not ask dispatch whether you should abandon your vehicle. The decision must be made by you.
Please do not drive until the conditions have been deemed safe.
Driving in Winter Weather
If you must travel, please follow the driving tips below from Tx-DOT.
Slow down. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions.
Maintain at least three times the normal following distance on snow or ice.
Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas as they tend to freeze first.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you have regained traction. Then straighten your vehicle.
Slippery Sidewalks and Surfaces
Please be careful if you venture outside. It's best to stay inside your home where it's safe. Buda Fire and EMS have responded to several incidents of people falling on slippery sidewalks or surfaces and being taken to the hospital with broken bones.
National Weather Service Forecast - Monday, Feb. 15
Winter Storm Warning in Effect from Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6:00 PM to Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8:00 AM
Wind Chill Warning in Effect from Monday, Feb. 15 at 5:00 PM to Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 12:00 PM
Hard Freeze Warning in Effect from Monday, Feb. 15 at 7:00 PM to Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 12:00 PM
Tuesday Night - Freezing rain likely after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 20. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday - A chance of rain or freezing rain before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night - A slight chance of snow and freezing rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%
Pipe Protection
- Wrap and use heat tape to protect exposed water pipes.
- Drip indoor faucets overnight or when water use is minimal to prevent freezing.
- Once frozen, pipes will not defrost until temperatures rise above freezing for several hours.
- Never use a blow dryer, flame, or heater to defrost frozen pipes as it can cause pipes to burst.
- Know where your water shut off is located in case you need to turn off the water in an emergency.
- If you need assistance, contact Buda Public Works at 512-312-2876. After hours, call 512-749-0478.
Pet Safety
It is very important that your pets have appropriate shelter from the freezing temperatures. As part of our Animal Ordinance, we've included the animal care portion below.
Sec. 4.04.005 Animal care
(f) An animal’s owner shall provide the animal with shelter that:
(1) Is large enough for the animal to enter, stand, turnaround, and lie down in a natural manner; a structure with three sides, a roof and a floor that prevents rain or other precipitation from entering; or a structure of dome, or other, shape with a floor that provides the animal with shelter from all weather conditions;
(2) Keeps the animal dry;
(3) Provides the animal with natural or artificial shade from direct sunlight;
(4) Protects the animal from excessive heat and cold and other adverse weather conditions
(5) Is adequately ventilated; and
(6) Large livestock shall be exempted.
•At 32 degrees water bowls will freeze, leaving pets without access to drinkable water
•Without shelter their bodies don't keep heat efficiently from the wind and elements
•Pets can go into shock, get frost bite to their exposed skin, can suffer irreversible organ failure and death
•Do not leave pets in a vehicle
Hays County Resources For Those in Need
H.O.M.E. Center
512-270-8344 (You may also leave a voicemail or send a text as the H.O.M.E. Center is receiving many calls at this time.)
Southside Community Center
518 S Guadalupe St.
San Marcos, TX
512-557-0795
Salvation Army
300 S CM Allen Parkway, Ste. 100
San Marcos, TX
512-557-3661
Hays Hills Baptist Church
1401 N Farm to Market 1626\
Buda, TX
512-295-3132 or 512-845-3864
Dripping Spring United Methodist
28900 RR 12
Dripping Springs, TX
512-894-7123
Kyle United Methodist Church
408 W Lockhart St,
Kyle, TX
512-415-6708
Westover Baptist Church
1310 Advance St.
San Marcos, TX 78666
512-214-2258
First Baptist Church of Wimberley
15951 Winters Mill Pkwy
Wimberley, TX
432-634-2364
Call the Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) hotline at 512-806-0800 between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. for additional church locations available as warming centers.
Additional Resources:
The Hays CISD Little Hope Box is full of food for anyone that might need it. They also put scarves/gloves in the box.
3839B E.FM 150 (Next to Simon Middle School)
Kyle, TX
Curative COVID-19 Testing Sites Closed
Due to worsening weather conditions, Curative testing sites are closed through Tuesday, February 16. Curative will resume normal operations on Wednesday if conditions allow.
City Parks Closed
All City parks are closed. Water to restrooms and fountains has been shut down.
Texas Disposal Systems Service
Texas Disposal Systems will not be running services tomorrow (Monday, Feb. 15) due to road conditions. There will be no green waste or commercial services tomorrow.
