Austin and Travis County urge residents to stay off roads after winter storm; one exposure-related death reported

Austin and Travis County leaders on Sunday urged residents to stay home and check on vulnerable neighbors after a winter storm brought freezing rain and sleet to the region and led to one exposure-related fatality.

Jason Runyon of the National Weather Service said the overnight event produced freezing-rain accumulations ranging from a few hundredths of an inch up to about two-tenths of an inch, with sleet between about two-tenths and 1 inch. "Precipitation has ended across the region and no more precipitation is expected," he said, adding that temperatures will stay below freezing through Monday morning and that melting this afternoon could refreeze tonight.

Why it matters: Officials said the combination of ice, refreeze risk and cold overnight temperatures makes travel hazardous, keeps first responders in demand and increases exposure risk for people without reliable heat.

Mayor Kirk Watson announced the city's first storm-related fatality, describing it as an "exposure fatality" and urging anyone needing help to call 311 or 911. He said 659 clients were in shelters overnight and that six shelters were active with officials adding…