SW Dallas News

Updated for the Winter Storm of 2023 (Wed, Feb 1, 2023)

 An Ice Storm Warning continues until 9:00 AM Thursday. The National Weather Service cautions that roads are packed with ice and that they will continue to be slick and hazardous until early Thursday. Says NWS “Travel should be avoided if possible now through early Thursday.”

 Freezing rain will be falling overnight and freezing on contact. In addition to making the roadways even more dangerous, it’s a threat to powerlines throughout DFW

 If you experience a power outage contact our area’s power provider, Oncor Energy, at 888-313-4747 or Text "OUT" to 66267.

 Temperatures are forecast to rise above freezing between 4 AM and 5 AM, so we are hopeful that the icy roadways will be much safer by late morning.

 Accordingly, City of DeSoto offices and facilities including City Hall, the DeSoto Public Library, and Recreation Center will reopen Thursday, February 2, at Noon, however the DeSoto Senior Center will remain closed all day Thursday.

 Republic Services is resuming its normal trash/recycling collections in the City of DeSoto on Thursday. Because pick-up times could be impacted by any icy conditions that crews encounter on their routes, we are asking residents who normally get picked up on Thursday to place their trash out no later than 7 AM.

 Please monitor the latest posts, weather forecasts, and traffic reports provided by DFW area TV news, radio news, as well as information from the National Weather Service and TXDOT.

 Sign-up for emergency weather alerts from the National Weather Service via DeSoto’s Red Alert notification system. https://www.ci.desoto.tx.us/2…/DeSoto-Red-Alert---Everbridge

 Even with a morning thaw in the forecast, please drive with caution and be aware that slick spots can still turn up on the roadway. Allow plenty of extra travel time and spacing between your car and the next.

 Please keep track of the current temperatures. Uninsulated pipes can freeze in below-freezing weather. To help prevent this please keep a slight trickle of water running into your sink. Also, make sure your sink’s drain is open.

 If your water pipes face an outside wall, open the cabinets in that area so the warmth of the interior can reach your pipes. If you find a frozen pipe, do NOT use a blow torch or open flame to defrost it. It could be a gas line. If you must try to thaw a pipe, make sure it’s a water pipe then a hairdryer would be a safer choice.

 And outdoor faucets are especially vulnerable during periods of extreme cold. Please protect them with a foam or insulated faucet cover.

 If you need assistance with your water service contact our Utility Billing phone line at (972) 230-9627.

 If you are facing a life-threatening emergency please call 911. 

https://desototexas.gov/…/020123-UPDATED-COLD-WEATHER-TIPS-…

Original source can be found here.