The City of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County officials and staff, who have been working throughout the week to prepare for this weekend’s anticipated winter storm, have released details on a shelter opening and other updates in Gillespie County.

The City of Fredericksburg, Gillespie County and the American Red Cross, in partnership with Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, will activate an emergency shelter Saturday at 8 a.m. at FUMC, 1800 Llano St., in Fredericksburg. The shelter will operate 24 hours a day until the end of the storm and as long as there is community need. It will provide meals, cots and a safe place of refuge for anyone displaced or affected by the severe winter weather.

Led by Gillespie County Emergency Management Coordinator Ashley Morris, the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will open at 6 a.m. on Saturday to provide a central location for all winter storm monitoring and coordination.

Gillespie County remains under a burn ban, and residents are urged not to light brush piles or conduct any outdoor burning, even to protect animals from the cold. Such burning violates the current Gillespie County burn ban and potentially TCEQ rules, especially after dark, and could trigger multiple 9‑1‑1 calls, unnecessarily pulling fire crews away during a high‑demand weather period. Those needing guidance on livestock or wildlife care during the freeze may contact Agrilife’s Kevin Knapick at (210) 446‑9077 for safe alternatives.

The bulk water pumps at City of Fredericksburg’s Warehouse will be turned off on Friday at 3:45 p.m. as crews prepare for the incoming winter weather. The pumps will remain offline through the weekend and are expected to be turned back on Tuesday morning, pending temperatures rising above freezing.

Latest Forecast

Forecast confidence is improving, though models still vary on the exact arrival of freezing air. Current expectations now place the freeze beginning around 6 a.m. Saturday. Heavy rain and thunderstorms remain possible Friday evening, with a Marginal Risk of flash flooding. From Saturday through Sunday, icing risks have increased: 100% chance of at least 0.01”, 60–80% chance of 0.10”, and 40% chance of 0.25” or more, with totals of 0.15–0.3” most likely.

Power outages and tree damage become more likely near 0.25”, and a small area near Junction may see up to 0.5”. Temperatures will remain below freezing from early Saturday through Monday afternoon, with wind chills in the single digits to below zero, creating dangerous conditions and the potential for prolonged icing impacts. Residents should prepare for prolonged cold, potential power disruptions and dangerous travel conditions. Stay tuned to the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office for official forecast updates.

Resident Preparation Tips

Residents are encouraged to prepare now by charging essential devices, gathering warm clothing, blankets, medications, water and shelf‑stable food, 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

• The City’s Sanitary Landfill and Recycling Center will be closed on Saturday.
• Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park will close on Friday at 10 p.m. and will tentatively reopen at noon on Monday.
• 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 has also announced that they will be closed Saturday-Monday.
• The Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau has announced the Fredericksburg Visitor Information Center will not be open on Saturday or Sunday.

The City’s Public Works Department and County’s road crews stand ready to respond to areas of icing and debris. TxDOT has pretreated areas of concern and elevated surfaces throughout the county.

With the anticipated weather, all Gillespie County residents and property owners are urged to sign up for the CivicPlus Mass Notification System, the emergency alert tool used to quickly deliver critical updates such as severe weather warnings, evacuation notices, boil water advisories, and other urgent information. Signing up ensures you receive timely alerts directly to your preferred device—whether by text, email, pager, or voicemail—and can help keep you and your family safe during fast‑moving emergencies. Emergency Management issued an alert through the system on Thursday at 4:35 p.m.; if you did not receive this notification, please log in to your account and update your alert settings to ensure future messages are delivered properly. To receive text‑only alerts, simply text FBGTX to 38276, or download the myAlerts mobile app for added convenience. Residents can also manage their alert 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.