Friday, March 29, 2024

Preparing for the New Year and cold winter weather

Southlake will be ringing in the New Year with colder temperatures. Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the 20’s with wind chills in the teens on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

There is a 20 percent chance of winter weather precipitation as well. If winter weather does occur it is forecast to be light and mostly on elevated surfaces.

Understanding Winter Wx_Freezing Rain Infographic MSNWith winter just starting, here are a few tips to keep in mind to help prepare for the colder weather.

Driving

  • If you must travel, choose your route wisely. Avoid known steep hills or inclines.
  • Make sure your vehicle is ready to travel. Check fuel, coolant level, and tire pressure.
  • Slow down and allow plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Avoid making sharp turns or braking suddenly.
  • If your vehicle starts to skid, gently steer in the direction of the skid to regain control.
  • From a stop, accelerate slowly to get better traction.
  • Sand, kitty litter or cardboard can help you regain traction if you get stuck.
  • Do not pass sanding vehicles.
  • Be sure to have blankets, water, jumper cables, a flashlight, and tow rope in case you get stranded.

Pipes:

  • During cold weather, pipes may freeze, causing water leaks and damage to your home. Protect your home by opening the cabinets under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow air from your home’s heater to warm the pipes under the sink.
  • Let faucets drip – moving water freezes slower than still water.
  • Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation or newspaper, and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.
  • Winterize all irrigation systems.

Plants:

  • Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
  • Be sure to group plants that are in containers together, and near your home. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leaves survive.

Pets

  • Make sure pets have a warm dry place to stay.
  • Give them plenty of water and food.

Stay up-to-date with winter weather in Southlake by following Southlake Emergency Management on Southlake DPS Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Howl-er-ween Pet Parade at Southlake Public Library

HOOOWWL! That’s the sound of a happy pet ready to march around Southlake Town Square in their best Halloween costume.

Happy Howl-er-ween Pet Parade
October 29, 2016 at 10 AM
Rustin Park

Bring your furry or feathered fur baby — real or stuffed — to strut their stuff! All friendly and leashed animals are welcome. We’ll have a water station, a treat station, and an opportunity to get some great photos with your pet! At 10:15, we’ll start our march around the Southlake Town Square.

For more information please call Southlake Public Library at 817.748.8243 or visit here for more information.

Freeze Warning For November 12, 2013

Get ready for the first blast of cold air starting tomorrow.  A strong cold front will arrive sometime in the Tuesday
morning and temperatures will continue to drop throughout the day.  Forecasters are expecting a freeze warning tomorrow evening into Wednesday morning with temperatures dropping into the high 20’s on Wednesday.

To the north and west of the City of Southlake, temperatures are expected to drop even lower to the mid to low 20’s. You will definitely want to get wrap your pipes, cover your plants and make sure and bring in your pets.

Fire Chief Mike Starr says, “Chilly conditions are expected to stick around through the end of the work week so plan accordingly and start preparing your home for freezing temperatures to avoid busted pipes.”

Follow Southlake Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about the upcoming change in weather.  

Tips You Can Use                     

PEOPLE

  • Dress in warm clothing, wear gloves, coats and layers when you’re outside.
  • Never leave children or the elderly in vehicles during cold weather, as they act as a refrigerator and can result in sub-freezing temperatures.
  • Never use a generator, grill, camp-stove or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device to heat your home (or any enclosed area). This can generate carbon monoxide, which can’t be seen or smelled, but is deadly.

PETS

  • Protect your pets by ensuring that they have a warm, safe place to sleep. The best place for a dog or cat is to sleep in a heated environment.
  • Be sure not to shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth.
  • Never leave your animal in a car during cold weather. Cars can act as refrigerators in the winter, holding in the cold and causing animals to freeze to death.

PIPES

  • During cold weather, pipes may freeze, causing water leaks and damage to your home. Protect your home by opening the cabinets under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow air from your home’s heater to warm the pipes under the sink.
  • Let faucets drip – moving water freezes more slowly than still water.
  • Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation or newspaper, and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.

PLANTS

  • Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.
  • Be sure to group plants that are in containers together, and near your home. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leafs survive.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Local Cities to Combine Animal Control Services

**IMPORTANT REMINDER: In one week Animal Control Services will move to the City of Keller.  We want to thank Animal Control Services Officer Ronnie White for his service to the City of Southlake.  He will be joining the City of Keller when the move takes place on Monday, October 1, 2012.

Southlake’s Department of Public Safety is joining with the City of Colleyville to move all Animal Control Services to the City of Keller. Southlake residents will be pleased to learn that this move will provide improved Animal Control Services.

The benefits to this plan are numerous and it is cost effective for the City and its citizens. “Southlake DPS is committed to providing excellent City services to our residents.  This multi-city agreement will add convenience and improved services to the citizens of Southlake whether it is help in finding a lost family pet or providing assistance with an animal control problem especially during nights and weekends,” said Police Chief Stephen Mylett.

All three Cities will share in the cost of the Animal Control Services Agreement. Initial cost for the City of Southlake will be $66,542.

The City of Keller will begin housing lost pets and animals from Southlake and Colleyville October  1, 2012 at their current facility. The new Keller Regional Animal Adoption Center will be 9,400 square feet and will be located at the Keller Police Department at 330 Rufe Snow Drive. Keller Police Chief Mark Hafner says, “The City of Keller is committed to this joint project and we are working to have the new animal and adoption facility completed by Spring 2014.”

The City of Southlake is providing additional information on our website to answer any additional questions that residents may have. http://tx-southlake.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=890. For information on feral hogs issues http://tx-southlake.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=900.

Key points of the multi-city agreement include: (October 1, 2012)

  • Full-time and on-call Animal Control Services.
  • Improved Animal Control Services during nights and weekends.
  • Annual cost savings of $15,677 per year to the City of Southlake.
  • Residents will be able to find lost pets at a facility that is closer to home.
  • Continued assistance with feral hogs or other wild animals.
  • Southlake will amend the animal control ordinance to require registration of pets.

Frequently asked Questions:

  • What is the number that I call to check on a lost pet? Contact  817-743-4516
  • What if I want to adopt a pet? Contact  817-743-4516.
  • Where do I go to pick up a lost pet? 330 Rufe Snow Drive near the Keller Police Department.
  • What if I need assistance in getting rid of a feral hog or other wild animals? Contact 817-743-8627.

This new multi-agency agreement continues the City of Southlake’s commitment to excellence through another great partnership with the Cities of Keller and Colleyville.  Again, more information can be found on the City of Southlake websites listed above.