EMERGENCY UPDATES AND RESOURCES

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Helpful resources for Taylor residents during emergency situations, including updates, local assistance, and news and information from local, state, and national agencies. 

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TRASH PICKUP • EMERGENCY REPAIRS • DEBRIS • POWER • RESOURCES


UPDATES

Emergency updates are posted on the City's website as well as our social media accounts:

Thursday, February 2, 2023

The City of Taylor Communications Department has issued the following updates for Thursday, February 2, regarding the ice storm that is affecting the City and the surrounding areas. The following information is correct as of 7:00 p.m. this evening.
 
CITY FACILITIES
    •    City Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 3 with limited services (no walk-ins). Utility Billing will be available only by drive-thru during opening hours. Department Directors will be available by phone or email—check the City’s website for contact information. 
    •    The Animal Shelter will be open with regular business hours on Friday, February 3. 
    •    Municipal Court will remain closed on Friday, February 3. 
    •    The Taylor Public Library is currently without power, and will remain closed on Friday, February 3 unless power is restored. Please check the City’s website for current information. 
    •    Emergency Services will be available for all residents on Friday, February 3. If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1. 
 
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
    •    The special called joint Council and TIRZ meeting scheduled for this evening is canceled.
    •    The dedication of the Fred Kerley Mural on Saturday, February 4 is expected to proceed as scheduled. 
 
DEBRIS AND PROPERTY DAMAGE
• Public Works along with Parks and Recreation crews are continuing to clear debris on the roadway. Residents have two options available to dispose of tree limb and brush debris. For more information, visit City Providing Tree Limb, Brush Disposal for Residents
• The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is encouraging residents to document property damage sustained during the event. This will help local officials understand the size and scope of the damage within the community. Report ice storm damages here: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/ (https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/).
• The St. James' Episcopal Church is open for warming until 8 PM this evening and from 9 AM to 8 PM tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 3. See be sure to like and follow their page for updates.
 
Please visit and bookmark the City’s Emergency Resources page at http://www.taylortx.gov/1121/EMERGENCY-UPDATES-AND-RESOURCES for helpful information regarding power outages and emergency management. 
 
This will be the final update for today, February 2. We will post additional information on the City’s website and social media channels as it becomes available for the duration of this weather event.

•••

TRASH PICKUP

Waste Connections will resume trash and recycling pick up services starting on Thursday, Feb. 2, with the following tentative schedule: 

  • Tuesday’s (1/31) scheduled customers will be serviced on Tuesday (2/7). Waste Connections will pick up any additional trash left outside of the cart due to the delay of service.
  • Wednesday’s (2/1) scheduled customers will be serviced on Thursday (2/2)
  • Thursday’s (2/2) scheduled customers will be serviced on Friday (2/3)
  • Friday’s (2/3) scheduled customers will be serviced on Saturday (2/4)

On Monday (2/6) and Tuesday (2/7) Waste Connections will pick up an extra residential trash that customers may have accumulated due to the delays from the winter storm. Schedule may be subject to change as the day progresses.


•••

EMERGENCY REPAIRS

Temporary Permit Waiver Due to Ice Storm

The ice storm is causing water pipes to burst and tree limbs to fall onto roofs and powerlines.

 The following requires a permit:
 •    Replacement of water pipes requires a plumbing permit.
 •    If your roof has been damaged by a tree a roof permit may be required.
 •    Electrical repairs to meter boxes require an electrical permit.
 
 The emergency repair work caused by the ice storm can be made without a permit, as long as a permit is applied for on the next business day.
 
 To provide peace of mind, ensure safety, and to protect the homeowner from poor workmanship, it is recommended that:

 (i)    the person carrying out the plumbing, electrical or roof repair work is qualified to do the required work and
 (iii)    the emergency work is inspected by a building inspector.
 
 In order to help residents that have suffered damage to their home during the current ice storm the permit fees for plumbing, electrical and roof permits will be waived by the City of Taylor until 5pm on Friday, February 10, 2023. No fees will be charged for these permits, but you will receive an inspection once the emergency work has been completed.
 
 For information on how to submit a permit click the permit button on the homepage of the website ci.taylor.tx.us and go to the apply for a permit section.

If you require any further information or assistance please call 512-309-6183 or 512-309-6799


La tormenta de hielo está provocando las tuberías de agua que reviente y que las ramas de los árboles caigan sobre techos o líneas eléctricas.

Lo siguiente, requiere un permiso:

  • El reparo o reemplazo de tuberías de agua requiere un permiso de plomería.
  • Si su techo ha sido dañado por un árbol, es posible que se requiera un permiso de   techo.
  • Las reparaciones eléctricas a cajas de medidores requieren un permiso eléctrico.

El trabajo de reparación de emergencia se puede realizar sin un permiso, siempre que se solicite un permiso el siguiente día.

Para proteger al propietario de un trabajo deficiente, brindar tranquilidad, y garantizar seguridad a nuestra comunidad. Se recomienda que:

(i) la persona que realiza el trabajo de plomería, electricidad, o reparación al techo es un contratista registrado y calificado para hacer el trabajo requerido.

(ii) la reparación de emergencia ser inspeccionada por un inspector de la ciudad.

 Con el fin de ayudar a los residentes que sufrieron daños en sus hogares durante la tormenta de hielo, la ciudad de Taylor no cobrará las tarifas de los permisos de plomería, electricidad, y techo hasta las 5:00 p. m. del Viernes 10 de Febrero, 2023. No se pagarán tarifas por estos permisos, pero si recibirá una inspección una vez que se haya completado el trabajo de emergencia.

Para obtener información sobre cómo aplicar para un permiso, seleccione el botón de permiso en la página del sitio web ci.taylor.tx.us 

Si necesita más información o asistencia, llame al 512-309-6183 o al 512-309-6799

Report Damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)

As ice starts to thaw and winter weather impacts to homes/business are revealed, Texans are encouraged to document property damage sustained during the event. 

Report Ice Storm Damages: damage.tdem.texas.gov. This will help local officials understand the size and scope of the damage within the community. 

•••

TREE LIMB AND BRUSH DEBRIS REMOVAL

The City is providing the following options free of charge for homeowners to dispose of tree limbs and brush caused by the winter storm: 

  • Residents that are clearing limbs and brush from their residence can begin placing cuttings (6 to 8 feet in length) along their curbside for crews to pick up for disposal. Residents will need to call the Public Works Department at 512-352-5818 to schedule a pickup at your address.
  • Cleanup operations for residents will continue free of charge until March 24. 
  • The City of Taylor Public Works Department has announced that beginning on Tuesday, February 14 the drop-off location for tree limbs and branches will move from the site on Welch Street to 1501 MLK, east of Hwy. 95 until April 7. 
  • Waste Connections will collect up to 5 cubic yards of debris if left at the curb. Debris can be either bundled in leaf bags or left in piles but cannot exceed 5 cubic yards (approximately 15 bags). In order to get bulk pick up, please call the Utility Billing Department within two business days of your regular trash pick-up date. Utility Billing can be reached at 512-352-2066.

Debris Removal Updates

The Communications Department will begin posting regularly scheduled weekly updates on debris removal operations after the February ice storm that downed numerous trees and branches throughout the City. The City will continue to work with CTC Disaster Response Inc. (CTC), which has been retained to assist with debris removal. 

Click here to view the March 10, 2023 Update

•••

POWER AND ELECTRICITY

Oncor

The City of Taylor’s electricity is serviced through Oncor. To stay updated on power outages in your area:

  • Visit the Oncor website at  www.oncor.com
  • Sign up for text alerts by texting REG to 66267 
  • Download the MyOncor app from your preferred app store
  • Follow Oncor on Facebook for additional updates.
  • View the ONCOR OUTAGE MAP

At this time, to expedite the restoration of power, the City of Taylor will not require an inspection for Oncor to perform disconnects or reconnects after repairs. 


Statement from Oncor regarding the Ice Storm:

Oncor and mutual assistance personnel continue to work night and day across the Taylor area to restore power outages caused by the winter storm. Oncor’s southern region, which includes Taylor and the surrounding communities, has experienced some of the greatest weather and outage impacts due to multiple bands of freezing rain and ice accumulations reaching half an inch. This ice can increase the weight of tree branches up to 30 times, leading to sagging or broken branches impacting lines, and add hundreds of pounds of extra weight to power lines, causing extensive damage to electric infrastructure in much of the area. 

Oncor recognizes the hardships and frustrations that come with being without power, especially when temperatures are this low, and appreciates the patience of our Taylor area customers. Damage assessment, vegetation management and power restoration personnel from Oncor and from other Texas utilities and neighboring states are fully activated across the southern region and working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. These personnel must carefully travel across extremely hazardous and icy road conditions, which has impacted response times, and safely perform often complex, multi-step repairs in rainy and freezing conditions. 

While restoration efforts continue around the clock and in full force, customers are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel to help keep roadways clear for restoration personnel and other first responders. Anyone who sees a downed power line should stay away, keep people away and call 911 immediately. Customers can also report outages and receive updates by downloading the MyOncor App and following Oncor on Facebook and Twitter, or by calling 888.313.4747. 

ERCOT


•••

RESOURCES

SIGN UP FOR ALERTS

  • City Alerts 
    Sign up for City Alerts via text or email in cases of emergency. 
  • Warn Central Texas:
    Register for emergency alerts from CAPCOG by text, email or phone from Warn Central Texas.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Where to Report Disaster Scams and Price Gouging

Visit the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Information page for information on price gouging, fly-by-night door-to-door contractors, and bogus charities and how to report.

Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)

Visit the TDEM website for current weather conditions and updates.

Texas Power Outage Map: 

Visit  this site for an aggregation of outages in the State of Texas. 

PUC Storm Resources

Visit the Storm Safety Resource Page (texas.gov) from the State of Texas. 

Community Services

Texas Education Agency

Texas Education Directory (Ask TED) Quick District Lookup website: AskTED Quick Search (state.tx.us)

TxDOT

Additional Weather Resources