ATCEMS responds to 12 cold weather exposure calls, 2 'fatal incidents'
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin said Austin-Travis County EMS has responded to 12 cold exposure calls, including two "fatal incidents," since Monday with freezing temperatures throughout Central Texas.
The city didn't link those deaths to a specific cause, writing the medical examiner's office will investigate the cause of death.
The KXAN First Warning Weather team said some areas of Central Texas received 0.5" of snow Monday night and Tuesday morning. Wednesday may be the coldest day of this week with air temperatures in the upper teens and low 20s.
The city said long-term exposure to cold weather may lead to hypothermia. KXAN recently spoke with a doctor at St. David's Medical Center who said uncontrollable shivering, slurred speech, confusion and mumbling may be signs of hypothermia.
Call 911 if someone needs immediate medical attention.