News

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has opened the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Survey for residents impacted by recent severe weather, wildfires, and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in the Texas Panhandle. This survey serves as a critical tool for local and state officials to assess the extent of disaster-related damages across affected communities. Residents who experienced property damage are encouraged to complete the survey to assist emergency management agencies in collecting damage data. The TDEM iSTAT survey is designed to: Residents can complete the survey online by submitting one survey per impacted address at: https://bit.ly/4i7VATH. Participation in the iSTAT survey is voluntary and does not replace filing an insurance claim. Additionally, completion of the survey does not guarantee individual disaster assistance but serves as a valuable tool in assessing community needs following a disaster. By reporting damages, residents contribute to a more informed response and recovery process for Amarillo and surrounding areas. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

The City of Amarillo will open a comfort station at the Warford Activity Center from 6 p.m. today (Friday) to 6 a.m. Saturday. The comfort station will allow residents to charge medical devices and other critical electronics. The Warford Activity Center is located at 1330 N.W. 18th Ave. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov.

Emma, the City of Amarillo’s first digital assistant, has been on the job for about three months, making her debut last December as the digital face of the City of Amarillo (COA) website. During this time, Emma has been peppered with more than 16,400 questions, ranging from everything from how to pay a water bill to how to resolve a traffic citation. However, the Amarillo community may want to know – what is the weirdest question Emma has been asked? Just ask Emma – she’ll tell you. “Oh, I’ve been asked all sorts of quirky questions,” Emma replied. “One time someone asked if I could do a digital cartwheel. If only, right?” Digital cartwheels aside, the Amarillo community has put Emma to work. And she is responding. The majority of questions for Emma are about PayAMA (the city’s online payment portal for the Utility Billing Department) to trash pickup, including bulky item pickup and residential dumpsters. For example, Emma can tell residents that trash pickup in Amarillo is twice a week (depending on holidays and weather conditions) and that specific information on trash pickup schedules is available by calling the COA Solid Waste Department at (806) 378-6813. However, Emma cannot tell individual residents the amount of their respective water bills. “Emma’s training and programming comes exclusively from data and information available on the City of Amarillo website and city resources – information that is publicly accessible,” said COA Assistant City Manager and Chief Information Officer Rich Gagnon. “Emma can, however, direct residents who need specific information to the right department or city staff so they can obtain the information they need.” Emma uses both text and speech to interact with residents. She is also bilingual and can converse in English and Spanish with the capabilities to add additional languages to reflect Amarillo’s diverse community. Want to know more about Emma? For an introductory COA video go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYR_XRUmELw Residents are also welcome to ask Emma

In order to continue to keep the Amarillo community informed regarding water quality, new water quality data for the City of Amarillo (COA) is available online on the COA website. COA is committed to providing the public with timely, relevant and informative water quality data that meets or exceeds all state and federal reporting standards. This data includes stringent water testing procedures for a variety of substances, including fluoride, chloride and lead. By providing this vital data to the public, the city is helping to ensure to the public the superior quality of the Amarillo water supply. For water data from the Osage Water Treatment Plant, go to:  www.amarillo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Water-Quality-Annual-Average-2021-24.pdf In addition, the most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for 2023 is available at: www.amarillo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2023-CCR-Community-Water.pdf The COA water system has received a Superior Rating with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, meeting all state and federal drinking water standards in 2023. The 2024 CCR will be available to the public by June 1. For more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###

There is no need to toss that old but cherished lamp that sometimes fails to light up the room. Here’s a bright idea: That lamp may can be repaired to shine again. The City of Amarillo (COA) Repair Cafe is back, providing free repair service for all kinds of items – from lamps to lawnmowers, clothes to computers and from bicycles to bookshelves. “Repair Cafe is a unique and fun event that the City of Amarillo provides to residents,” said COA Senior Services Coordinator for the Parks and Recreation Department Kari Bachman. “If you have an item that is broken or not working properly, come to the Repair Cafe and see if it can be fixed to work as good as new. “Repair Cafe is a fun, community-focused event centered on sustainability and sharing knowledge. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors, learn new skills and keep your belongings out of the landfill.” The Repair Cafe is set for Sunday (March 9) from noon to 4 p.m. at the Warford Activity Center, 1330 N.W. 18th Ave. Repair Cafe features volunteer fixers and participants can learn simple repair skills. What to bring: Each family is welcome to bring one item for repair. If time allows, additional items may be accommodated. Participants must stay with their items during the repair process – this is a hands-on experience to learn alongside volunteer fixers. Registration is not required. For more information contact Kari Bachman at (806) 678-8359. Also for more information contact City of Amarillo Media Relations Manager Dave Henry at 806-378-5219 or by email at david.henry@amarillo.gov. ###