Fredericksburg, Texas – With the precipitation from Winter Storm Fern ending across the region, the focus of City of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County officials and staff turns to the continuing icy road conditions and extreme cold temperatures.  

All residents should remain home and stay off the roads as City, County and TxDOT crews work to make roadways passable again. 

Road Conditions
Overnight wintry precipitation has worsened icy and hazardous road conditions throughout the county. City Street Department crews are actively monitoring conditions; however, roadways remain dangerous and all non‑emergency traffic should stay home until conditions improve. TxDOT reports that crews will be working to clear roads throughout the day. Residents are reminded to call 911 in the event of an emergency, and to use 830‑997‑8080 for non‑emergency assistance.

Electrical Outages
Just after 4 p.m. on Saturday, large areas on the north side of Fredericksburg experienced a power outage Saturday afternoon affecting both City of Fredericksburg Electric (estimated 1,500) and CTEC (over 1,500) customers. Full power was restored to all City Electric customers by 6:40 p.m.

CTEC experienced another outage of over 1,000 customers in parts of the Fredericksburg area, including 87S toward Comfort, Hasenwinkle Rd, Dally Rd, Pfiester Rd, and Grape Creek Rd. on Sunday morning that lasted for about an hour.

Latest Forecast
The Ice Storm Warnings remains in effect until noon on Sunday, while the Extreme Cold Warning remains through Monday at noon. 

Hard freezes are forecast Sunday night, and Monday night, with the Hill Country expected to remain below freezing through midday Tuesday. Very dangerous wind chills, ranging from the single digits to the lower teens, are forecast through Monday morning, creating prolonged risks to infrastructure, livestock, pets, and vulnerable residents.

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.

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.

Shelter Operations
The City of Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, and the American Red Cross, in partnership with Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, opened a 24‑hour emergency shelter at 1800 Llano Street on Saturday at 8 a.m. The shelter offers meals, cots, and a safe place for anyone displaced by the winter storm. The shelter remains fully staffed and ready to receive anyone who needs refuge. County VFD stations will open in the event of widespread power outages as warming centers for local communities.

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. The EOC will remain 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.

Known Closures 

• City of Fredericksburg buildings, facilities and offices will be closed on Monday.
• Fredericksburg ISD will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26. 
• Harper ISD will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26
• 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. 
• Fredericksburg’s H-E-B will be only open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
• 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. 
• Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course closed through Monday.
• The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau has announced the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center will not be open on Sunday. 
• 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.

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. Emergency Management issued an alert Thursday at 4:35 p.m.; if you did not receive it, please log in and update your notification settings. 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.  

-30-