Winter Storm Preparedness in Dallas
Dallas officials said they’re prepared to respond to the incoming winter storm that is forecast to bring a mix of ice and snow to the region this weekend.
City officials held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to update residents about their preparedness plans while also urging the public to avoid traveling on potentially icy and dangerous roads if possible.
“We want to make sure that all of our city infrastructure is functioning properly, and we also want to make sure that all of our most vulnerable neighbors are protected during this time,” City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said.
The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office issued a winter storm watch and an extreme cold watch ahead of the weather this weekend. And Gov. Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources. Major highways are being salted, garden stores are building temporary greenhouses and pantries are getting stocked.
D-FW Weather Wise
City Preparation and Response
City department heads, including emergency management and crisis response; transportation and public works; and sanitation and first responders are working together over the next two days, officials said. The Emergency Operations Center is expected to activate Saturday morning at 7 a.m. to coordinate and monitor the citywide response.
Preparing the Roads
Gus Khankarli, director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works, said the city had identified the vulnerable spots that are likely to be impacted by the storm, and are in the process of deploying contractors and workers to clear roadways and coordinate construction activity.
The city will be pretreating and sanding public thoroughfares to reduce slippery conditions, officials said. There will be trucks that will monitor roads and bridges during the inclement weather. Khankarli said the city is evaluating what roads to prioritize and treat first.
Kevin Oden, director of emergency management and crisis response, said the city has 50 standing vehicles to take care of any slick spots or hazards on the streets.
Inclement Weather Shelters
The city of Dallas’ primary temporary overnight shelter will open at 4 p.m. on Friday at Fair Park’s Automobile Building, 3809 Grand Ave. The Austin Street Center and OurCalling, homelessness service providers in Dallas, will operate the inclement weather shelter in partnership with the city.
The capacity at the shelter will be about 1,300 people and they will remain open until nighttime temperatures rise above freezing.
The city announced the change in the location (originally at Fair Park’s Grand Place) on Thursday but did not explain the reason for the move. City officials did not respond to questions. The Automobile Building has a larger capacity than the Grand Place.
Meanwhile, street response teams alongside the Dallas Fire Rescue plan to patrol the streets and help transport residents experiencing homelessness to Fair Park. Last year, the city got 205 requests to help people get to the shelter, of which 140 were located and helped, Oden told The Dallas Morning News.
Paul Ramon, the director of animal services, added his department will be on deck to house pets of unsheltered residents, and will be monitoring the roads to ensure there are no animals in harm’s way.
Trash Pickup, Pipes, and Utilities
Cliff Gillespie, the director of the sanitation department, said the city expected minimal service impacts on Friday. Based on the conditions of neighborhoods roads and dangerous weather conditions for workers, trash pickups could be delayed Monday and Tuesday. If the backlog is higher, then the delays could cascade throughout the next week.
Gillespie said the city had prepared to work with debris collectors.
Sarah Standifer, director of Dallas Water Utilities, said residents should pay close attention to pipes. “Know where your shut off valve is,” she said, adding that residents can reach the city by calling 311 if pipes burst or there’s an outage. The city will dispatch crews, and provide support through the storm.
Other officials said the city is proactively coordinating with utility providers such as Oncor and Atmos Energy to be ready to respond to widespread power outages.
Staff writers Julia James and María Ramos Pacheco contributed to this report.
Conclusion
The city of Dallas is taking proactive measures to prepare for the incoming winter storm, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring the city’s infrastructure is functioning properly. Residents are urged to stay safe and avoid traveling on potentially icy and dangerous roads. The city’s emergency response resources are ready to be deployed as needed, and residents can rest assured that help is available if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the city doing to prepare for the winter storm?
A: The city is taking several measures to prepare for the winter storm, including pretreating and sanding public thoroughfares, deploying contractors and workers to clear roadways, and opening inclement weather shelters.
Q: Where can I go if I need shelter during the storm?
A: The city of Dallas’ primary temporary overnight shelter will be located at Fair Park’s Automobile Building, 3809 Grand Ave. The shelter will have a capacity of about 1,300 people and will remain open until nighttime temperatures rise above freezing.
Q: What should I do if my pipes burst or there’s a power outage?
A: If your pipes burst or there’s a power outage, you can reach the city by calling 311. The city will dispatch crews to provide support and assistance as needed.
Q: Will trash pickup be affected by the storm?
A: Yes, trash pickup may be delayed due to the storm. The city expects minimal service impacts on Friday, but delays could occur on Monday and Tuesday depending on the conditions of neighborhood roads and weather conditions for workers.
