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With emergency dispatchers "almost continuously" answering phone call after phone call, the Austin Fire Department has already responded to over 100 reports of broken pipes since midnight amid extreme winter weather. Yesterday, there were over 600 reports for broken pipes.
As some Austinites are entering two days without power, AFD has extra crews and vehicles responding to calls ranging from broken pipes, fires and carbon monoxide exposure. With calls rolling in, the fire department told Austonia no one was available for comment on the situation.
In unprecedented weather for Texas, Austin Fire Division Chief Thayer Smith told KVUE that he believes the extreme cold is causing pipes to break sooner than expected and they anticipate even more calls as the weather warms and water thaws.
Click here to view an updated map of water leaks.
Austinites all over the city are dealing with broken pipes, and rumors are circulating that with hundreds of reports piling up, help could be hours away—if it comes same-day at all
According to Daniel's Plumbing, if your water starts to smell foul, looks discolored, begins leaking onto the floor, or water pressure begins fluctuating, you may have a broken pipe. Simultaneously, if you live in an apartment building and begin to hear a fire alarm without smoke in your unit, one of your neighbors' pipes may have burst.
In the event of a pipe burst, call maintenance and locate your water valve to turn it off immediately. If your home or apartment is flooding, unplug everything in sight and cover your valuables.
As Austinites grapple with power outages and breaking pipes, AFD has also received calls of gas exposure where people are using gas stoves or charcoal to heat their homes, resulting in toxic carbon monoxide gas. AFD has responded to two calls today.
Using charcoal or gas stoves inside your home is extremely dangerous, not advised and can result in death. To avoid broken pipes, residents are advised to drip water from faucets and check on pipes.
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Popular
(Gulfstream)
Billed as offering “the most spacious cabin in history,” the aircraft seats 19 and soars above the rest of us at up to 51,000 feet. Base price: $78 million.
The Gulfstream G700 was awarded the 2022 International Yacht & Aviation Award for excellence in cabin design this year. (Gulfstream)
According to the Gulfstream website, the G700 can fly up to 7,500 nautical miles without refueling, enough range to fly nonstop from Austin to Hong Kong. Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines, it has its own Wi-Fi system, 20 oval windows measuring 28” x 21”, and two lavatories.
The sweet new ride will replace his current top-of-line private jet: a 2015 Gulfstream G650, the aircraft that has been made somewhat famous by the automated @elonjet Twitter account, which tracks and reports his personal aircraft’s movements using public data.
Musk has repeatedly championed “free speech” as a guiding ethic in his planned purchase of Twitter. Last December, Musk offered the teenager who built the @elonjet tracker $50,000 to shut it down, citing security concerns. It’s still up.
According to the @elonjet account, Musk’s jet last traveled to Austin, where it’s been since June 23. The associated data says that his flight to Austin burned $2,573 worth of aviation fuel and discharged 4 tons of carbon dioxide.
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(Valencia Hotel Group)
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.
