AUSTIN (CN) - Courthouses and government offices in parts of Central Texas were shut today as a storm blanketed the Lone Star State with a layer of ice.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings, freeze warnings and wind chill advisories for much of Central and South Texas, including the Austin, San Antonio and Houston metropolitan areas.
The heaviest icefall ended by 9 a.m., but freezing drizzle was still falling, making roads even more treacherous, as temperatures remain below freezing.
Several hundred automobile collisions have ground the region to a standstill and authorities are urging citizens to stay home all day.
Travis County (Austin) ordered government offices closed for the day, including the Travis County District Courts and Travis County Courts at Law.
The Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals - the state's highest criminal appellate court - and the 3rd Court of Appeals are closed as well. All are in Austin.
Harris County (Houston) remains open for the day, with only jury duty being canceled, according to its website. Bexar County (San Antonio) remains open for the day, as well.
Other counties announcing closures Friday include Burnet, Chambers, Kerr and Liberty.
The Austin Federal Court will be closed for the day, according to its website.
Federal courts in San Antonio, Del Rio and Waco will delayed their openings until 10 a.m.
Read the Top 8
Sign up for the Top 8, a roundup of the day's top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
