TxDOT Sweep of road ice on SH 114 12/8/2013

UPDATE 12:55 p.m. 12/10 We would like to remind residents that for the week of Monday 12/9 – Friday 12/13, Republic Waste Services will resume all trash and recycling collection according to their typical schedule.

Due to the delayed pick ups at the end of last week, Republic anticipates an increased volume of trash and recycling throughout the week. As such, the collection of limbs, bagged leaves, or other debris may be delayed until later in the week. Questions should be directed to Republic Services at (817) 317-2424.

UPDATE 6:15 a.m. 12/9 City highways and roadways are beginning to clear but ice still remains in patches on major arterials and in sheets on neighborhood roads and parking lots.  Drivers are urged to use caution.  City of Southlake offices will open at 10:00 a.m. Monday, 12/9/2013, Tarrant County offices are scheduled to open at noon.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m. 12/8 Republic Services has advised the City that they are planning to run their regular schedule Monday 12/9.  Limbs and brush that have fallen as a result of the storm may not get picked up until the end of the week.  Republic would also like to remind customers who had their Friday pickup rescheduled that the new pick up day for trash is Tuesday 12/10.   Recycling is scheduled for pickup on Friday 12/13.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m. 12/8  City of Southlake  Community Services programs have been canceled for Monday evening 12/9.  For more information please click here.   The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Fog Advisory for tonight until 10:00 a.m. Monday.

UPDATE 4:30 p.m. 12/8 TxDOT’s sweep team arrived in Southlake around 4:00 p.m.  The caravan swept SH 114 as part of a larger effort all over Tarrant County highways.  Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing again in the overnight hours so drivers will need to be careful tomorrow morning.

UPDATE 8:30 a.m. 12/8 TxDOT will use heavy machinery to sweep  SH 121 and SH 114 to help clear out of the ice.  They are asking all drivers to stay off the highways so they can complete their tasks quickly.  Many churches have either canceled services or are streaming them online.  The Freezing Fog Advisory has been extended to 12 noon for North Texas.  If you must be on the roads, drive slowly and use caution.

UPDATE 7:15 p.m. 12/7 The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Fog Advisory for Southlake and much of the DFW metroplex until 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  This could bring a light layer of ice to the area.

UPDATE 3:45 p.m. 12/6 The National Weather Service has canceled the Winter Storm Warning that was to remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. Friday (12/6) evening.   Now they have issued a Hard Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 9:00 a.m. Saturday (12/7).

First responders from the Southlake Police and Fire Departments have been keeping a close eye on conditions all day long.  While some of the ice on the roadways has turned to slush, temperatures remain below freezing.

“When the sun goes down, the temperatures will fall into the teens and ice and snow on the roads will re-freeze,” said Fire Chief Mike Starr.  “We are encouraging everyone to  keep that in mind and think twice before heading out on the roads this evening.”

“Since 6:30am, officers assisted 65 stranded motorists on area roadways to include SH 114. We are very grateful to citizens for heeding the warnings generated regarding weather and road conditions” said Police Chief Stephen Mylett. “For everyone’s safety, to include first responders, we continue to encourage citizens to stay off the roads as we expect ice conditions to continue through the weekend. If you have to be out, please drive slowly and defensively.”

The City of Southlake Public Works crews will continue sanding Southlake streets through out the weekend.  Drivers are asked to give the sand trucks a wide berth if they encounter them on the roadway.

UPDATE 3:00 p.m. 12/6:  The Southlake Library, the Bob Jones Nature Center and the  Southlake Tennis  Center will be closed Saturday, 12/7 because of the weather.

UPDATE  9:05 a.m. 12/6:  Due to the weather, Southlake Community Services has canceled Breakfast with Santa and the Youth basketball games that were scheduled for Saturday, 12/7.  For more information please click here.

UPDATE  8:45 a.m. 12/6: Tarrant County offices at Town Hall are closed today due to inclement weather.

UPDATE  7:00 a.m. 12/6:  Trash collection for 12/6 will be delayed until Tuesday, December 10th.  Recycling pickup is delayed until Friday, 12/13.

UPDATE 6:15 a.m. 12/6/2013:  City of Southlake offices are closed Friday, December 6, 2013 due to inclement weather.  The roads around Southlake are covered with up to an inch of  frozen precipitation.  Drivers are asked to stay off the roads if at all possible.

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(December 5, 2013) A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service beginning Thursday(12/5) at 6 p.m. to remain in effect until Friday(12/6) at 6 p.m. Rain, and possibly sleet or ice, along with freezing temperatures are expected—which could create icy conditions. According to the current forecast, temperatures are expected to remain in the 20’s and 30’s for at least the next 48 hours.

The City of Southlake will be monitoring conditions throughout today and tomorrow, and will be sending out public works crews as needed to help keep area roads safe. Southlake first responders will also be on stand-by to respond to emergencies as needed.

“If you need to drive, please slow down, drive smart and exercise caution throughout the duration of this storm,” said Police Chief Stephen Mylett. “If you can, stay off the roads, we would like to see storm-related emergency calls kept to a minimum.”

Expected ice accumulations could cause hazardous road conditions throughout the duration of the storm. Should these conditions occur, it is advised that residents only drive in case of an emergency.

These conditions may result in a delay of trash and recycling collection on Friday(12/6). Residents will be notified of this delay by Friday morning.

Residents should be aware of the risk of branches breaking due to ice accumulation—which may cause power outages. Oncor advises everyone to have an emergency kit with flashlights and batteries and a plan to stay with friends or family that does have electricity in the event there is a widespread outage. Residents should stay at least 10 feet away from any area with fallen power lines. Please report fallen power lines to Oncor at 1-888-313-4747 or online at: http://stormcenter.oncor.com.

Southlake Fire Chief, Mike Starr, urges residents to be prepared, “Stock up on food, water, and other essentials before the storm hits. Also, make sure to fill gas tanks and keep food, water, and blankets in your vehicle in case of emergency.”

The City of Southlake is monitoring these conditions and will activate the Emergency Operations Center if needed. For the latest updates during this storm, visit www.CityofSouthlake.com and www.MySouthlakeNews.com, as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages.

For more information on how to be prepared in winter weather, please visit the City’s Office of Emergency Management webpage.

City of Southlake Closures as of 12/5 at 3:30 p.m.

Southlake Public Library: closing today at 5 p.m.
Southlake Tennis Center: closing today at 5 p.m.
Bob Jones Nature Center: closing today at 5 p.m.

All City events Thursday afternoon are canceled.