Winter Storm Warning Issued For Dallas Area
Dallas is under an ice storm warning until 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Per the National Weather Service, widespread icing on bridges, overpasses, and surface streets is expected through at least Wednesday night.
That means it’s time to hunker down and prepare to avoid frozen pipes.
State Farm has some tips to avoid a winter mess:
- Let faucets drip overnight to keep water moving freely.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and on exterior walls.
- Seal leaks that allow cold air inside.
- Disconnect garden hoses or use indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes.
Here’s what to do if your pipes freeze, though:
- If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
- Use a hair dryer as a possible heat source (with caution). You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer — make sure you are not in standing water. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
- Shut off the water supply. If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Be sure to leave the water faucets turned on.
- Contact your insurance company if there is damage.
Amid the icy conditions, many school districts and municipalities have announced closures and cancelations.
As for local public schools, Highland Park ISD and Dallas ISD were open Monday but canceled after-school activities for Monday, and announced that their campuses and offices would be closed Tuesday, Jan. 31-Thursday, Feb. 2.
Local private schools, including Hockaday, St. Mark’s, Greenhill, Parish, and Shelton, were also closed Tuesday-Thursday.
SMU also said all classes and activities after 5 p.m. Monday were canceled and canceled classes and activities for Tuesday, Jan. 31-Thursday, Feb. 2.
The Dallas city council meeting and city-sponsored events were canceled for Wednesday, Feb. 1 and Thursday, Feb. 2, and city facilities closed to the public
Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins said Dallas County offices, the courts, and jury services will also be closed Tuesday, Jan. 31-Thursday, Feb. 2.
Many town of Highland Park staff will work remotely, and the library will remain closed Thursday, Feb. 2. Those who need assistance from town staff can call 214-521-4161. Public Works, Parks, and Department of Public Safety will be on hand, though, and can be contacted at any time by calling 214-521-5000.
The city of University Park says the landfill and recycling center used by the city were closed Tuesday, Jan. 31, and Wednesday, Feb. 1. Weather permitting, the City will resume trash and recycling collection on Thursday, February 2 with normal routes. (Thursday collections will be made on Thursday – Friday collections will be made on Friday).
The University Park Library will open at noon Thursday, February 2, instead of 10 a.m.
We’ll continue to update this post as more information becomes available.
