Fredericksburg, Texas – City of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County officials continue to urge the public to use extreme caution as dangerous road conditions persist late Monday. Existing ice, combined with expected overnight refreezing, will significantly worsen roadway safety across many parts of the county.

Despite periods of sunshine that helped reduce some impacts earlier in the day, large portions of the North and West areas of the county remained fully iced over and did not thaw. Several shaded roadways also stayed frozen throughout the day, plus melted ice will refreeze tonight, creating treacherous travel conditions.

Emergency services experienced a high volume of calls as traffic increased Monday. Multiple weather‑related incidents required response across the county, stretching resources throughout the day. 

Roadway Conditions (as of Monday evening):

• City of Fredericksburg: City crews spent the day de‑icing roadways, including operations on Ranch Road 965 and assisting Fire/EMS with incidents. Despite progress, several icy patches remain throughout the city limits. Fredericksburg Police responded to numerous slide‑offs and urged residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
• Gillespie County: The Gillespie County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple vehicles off the roadway—especially in the northern and western parts of the county—and reminded drivers to slow down and exercise the highest level of caution.
• North & West Gillespie County: Roads remain heavily iced. North U.S. 16 remains hazardous with multiple reports of vehicles sliding off the roadway.
• East County & FM Roads: Many farm‑to‑market roads on the east side of the county remain icy. TxDOT crews worked portions of East U.S. 290, to help improve that roadway.

County and City officials stress that travel should be avoided Monday night and Tuesday morning due to widespread refreezing. Anyone who must travel should allow extra time, reduce speed, and remain alert for ice in shaded or previously wet areas. Sidewalks are also very hazardous, so caution is strongly encouraged. 

Residents are reminded to call 911 in the event of an emergency, and to use 830‑997‑8080 for non‑emergency assistance.
 
Fredericksburg Sanitation Collection
The City’s Sanitation Department attempted to collect trash for Monday customers on a delayed schedule; however, road conditions were deemed unsafe. Collection for both Monday and Tuesday customers will begin on Tuesday as soon as conditions improve and it is safe to proceed.

Electrical Outages
Power outages during the event have been rare and quickly resolved, including a Monday‑morning outage that briefly affected more than 300 CTEC customers in western Gillespie County. CTEC reports that significant ice remains on parts of its system and may cause additional outages as lines shift, and crews continue to monitor conditions while encouraging members to conserve energy during peak‑use hours. The largest outage occurred Saturday afternoon on Fredericksburg’s north side, impacting an estimated 1,500 City Electric and more than 1,500 CTEC customers, with full City Electric service restored by 6:40 p.m.

H-E-B Reopens 
As of 4 p.m. Monday, the Fredericksburg H‑E‑B has reopened and will be open until 11 p.m.  Previously, Fredericksburg’s H‑E‑B closed on Sunday and its Public Affairs Department provided the following statement:
“Out of an abundance of caution, our Fredericksburg store is temporarily closed. We appreciate our community and look forward to opening soon. We will update our customers with further information.”

Known Closures 

• City of Fredericksburg buildings, facilities and offices will open at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
   
• Gillespie County facilities will be closed until 1 p.m. on Tuesday. The Commissioners' Court meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. has been canceled and will be rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m.
   
• Fredericksburg ISD is closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27. 
   
• Many businesses in the area have altered hours of operation, so please call ahead to check availability if you must leave your home to reach a business. 
  
  
• Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park closed on Friday at 10 p.m. and will tentatively reopen at noon on Tuesday.
  
  
• Restrooms at Old Fair Park’s basketball pavilion and Cross Mountain Park will be secured until temperatures rise above freezing. 
  
  
• The bulk water pumps at the City of Fredericksburg’s Warehouse turned off Friday at 3:45 p.m. and will remain offline until temperatures allow.

Latest Forecast
The Extreme Cold Warning was extended by the National Weather Service through 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Hard freezes are still forecast for Monday night, with the Hill Country expected to remain below freezing through midday Tuesday. 

Residents are strongly urged to stay safe, avoid all non‑essential travel, and continue monitoring updates from the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio as conditions evolve.

Shelter Closed

The emergency shelter at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, at 1800 Llano Street was closed at 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

Gillespie County Emergency Management thanks the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, the City's Parks & Recreation Department and the American Red Cross for their partnership.

The shelter opened on Saturday at 8 a.m. and offered meals, cots and a safe place to anyone displaced by the winter storm. During the event, seven individuals received sheltering or recovery assistance. Four were supported in the shelter, and three received virtual services from the American Red Cross following a structure fire that occurred on Sunday.

Disaster Proclamation
Gillespie County has been added to the Governor’s statewide disaster proclamation following severe winter weather across Texas. The amended Sunday, Jan. 25,  proclamation expands the declaration to include Gillespie County, allowing additional state resources and emergency assistance to support local response and recovery. This action acknowledges the impacts of prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and freezing rain and ensures residents receive necessary aid.

Burn Ban Lifted
Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones lifted the countywide burn ban on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 12:30 p.m. after consulting with the County Fire Marshal and county fire chiefs. Although drought conditions have improved, rainfall has been uneven, and residents should evaluate local conditions before burning. Officials urge everyone to use extreme caution with any outdoor burns.

Emergency Operations Center
Led by Gillespie County Emergency Management Coordinator Ashley Morris, the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened at 3 a.m. on Saturday to provide a central location for all winter storm monitoring and coordination. As of 5 p.m., the EOC will be virtually staffed throughout the storm and will share updates as conditions change. Residents should call 9‑1‑1 for emergencies and (830) 997‑8080 for non‑emergency assistance.

Resident Preparation Tips
Residents should continue to charge essential devices and use only safe indoor heating sources. Practice generator safety by avoiding the use of gas-powered generators indoors. Protect pipes, know your home’s water shutoff, and bring pets indoors. Keep your vehicle fueled and equipped with an emergency kit, avoid parking under trees or power lines, and use caution on bridges if travel becomes necessary.

Emergency Alert System
With the cold weather in place, Gillespie County residents and property owners are urged to sign up for the CivicPlus Mass Notification System, which delivers critical updates such as weather warnings, evacuation notices, and boil water advisories. Enrollment ensures timely alerts to your preferred device—text, email, pager, or voicemail—helping keep you and your family safe during fast‑moving emergencies. To receive text‑only alerts, text FBGTX to 38276, or download the myAlerts mobile app. Residents can also manage their preferences or learn more at fbgtx.org/1203/Alerts-Notifications.

For more information about the City of Fredericksburg, go to FBGTX.org or contact City Hall at (830) 997-7521. 

For more information about the County of Gillespie, go to GillespieCounty.gov or contact the Courthouse at (830) 997-7502.   

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