The following update summarizes Waymo’s latest actions in response to severe storm threats. It includes expanded temporary suspensions in multiple U.S. markets, ongoing safety measures, a voluntary software recall, and the current status of its service footprint.
The piece also notes the regulatory scrutiny surrounding the company and what riders might expect as weather conditions evolve.
Weather-driven suspensions expand across key markets
Waymo has extended its temporary service suspensions across Texas, Georgia and Tennessee in response to looming severe weather threats and flood watches. The company framed these moves as proactive safety measures and said it closely monitors National Weather Service bulletins and thresholds set by its weather team to determine where to operate.
These weather-driven pauses follow prior incidents. They reflect a cautious approach to operating autonomous vehicles amid flood risk and poor driving conditions.
Regional actions and notable incidents
San Antonio was first impacted after an April 20 incident in which floodwaters swept away one of Waymo’s self-driving vehicles. On May 22, Waymo announced additional suspensions in Austin, Dallas and Houston, as well as Atlanta and Nashville, citing impending severe weather and flood watches.
The company had already pulled a vehicle from high waters in Atlanta earlier in the week. It has since narrowed operating scopes and updated service-area maps while working on permanent fixes.
Safety measures and system updates
In parallel with service suspensions, Waymo issued a voluntary software recall affecting nearly 3,800 U.S. vehicles to refine extreme-weather behavior and limit access to flood-prone areas. The firm also paused highway service in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami to improve its responses to construction zones.
Waymo is working to enhance weather resilience, test new safety controls, and ensure that routing and vehicle behavior remain appropriate in challenging environments.
- Voluntary software recall affecting nearly 3,800 Waymo vehicles to refine extreme-weather behavior and limit access to flood-prone areas
- Weather-driven suspensions expanded to Austin, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Nashville
- Narrowed operating scopes and updated service-area maps as part of permanent safety fixes
- Pauses in highway service in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Miami to address construction zones
Regulatory scrutiny and service footprint
Federal investigators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining Waymo’s safety record. The investigations touch on a series of safety concerns, including earlier incidents in which robotaxis allegedly passed school buses in Austin.
These inquiries add a regulatory dimension to Waymo’s ongoing safety enhancements and its reporting of operational constraints during adverse weather.
Current service footprint and future outlook
Waymo began limited service in San Antonio in February and launched Austin in March 2025. The company now operates about 250 vehicles in Austin and dozens in San Antonio.
While riders are encouraged to remain patient as weather-related restrictions and system improvements continue, Waymo has not provided a timeline for resuming full service across these markets.
Rider safety remains the highest priority. The company stresses that it will continue to adapt its operations as conditions change and as permanent fixes are rolled out.
The current pause highlights the challenges of deploying autonomous ride-hailing at scale in dynamic weather and urban environments. The combination of weather warnings, flood risks, construction zones, and regulatory oversight requires sophisticated risk assessment and real-time decision-making.
A transparent communication strategy with riders is also essential.
Here is the source article for this story: Waymo halts service across Texas, other states amid weather concerns