Austin Ice Storm 2026: 1 Fatality, Which Schools Are Closed? When Will Roads Be Drivable?

As of Sunday morning, the winter storm throughout the Austin area had caused one fatality from exposure and 67 traffic accidents from motorists traveling on increasingly impassable roads.

Those were among the details shared by city and Travis County officials during a news conference Sunday, which offered a look at the response so far to the storm that has layered nearly a quarter-inch of ice in some parts of the Austin area. Emergency officials said the fatality was discovered in the parking lot of an abandoned gas station on the 1000 block of East 38 1/2 Street just after 6 a.m., with hypothermia indicated as a likely cause of death.

When will the roads be drivable again?

Transportation and Public Works director Richard Mendoza said it is “very difficult, if not impossible,” to predict when roads will be completely safe for travel. He pointed to Tuesday’s weather forecast for possible prolonged temperatures above freezing in the afternoon, though other officials
noted some roads could refreeze overnight with the return to below-freezing temperatures.

The city’s six cold weather shelters remain active with 24-hour service extended through Tuesday morning.

CapMetro service was canceled on Sunday, with limited service scheduled to restart on Monday afternoon. Residents needing transportation to a warming shelter were directed to call 311 to request a ride.

As of early Sunday afternoon, the following schools had announced the cancellation of classes on Monday:

• Austin ISD
• Bastrop ISD
• Burnet ISD
• Del Valle ISD
• Dripping Springs ISD
• Eanes ISD
• Elgin ISD
• Georgetown ISD
• Hays CISD
• Lake Travis ISD
• Lago Vista ISD
• Leander ISD
• Manor ISD
• Marble Falls ISD
• PFlugerville ISD
• Round Rock ISD
• San Marcos ISD
• University of Texas at Austin.

As of Sunday morning, nearly 200 departures and arrivals from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport had been canceled by either the carriers or the Federal Aviation Administration. Emergency officials directed passengers to check the status of their flights before risking travel to the airport.