MySouthlakeNews.com
...for City, CISD school, business, and community happenings
-
- Winter weather
Monday, June 21, 2021
In the early hours this morning, water started flowing back into the Southlake water system. This is great news but we want to remind everyone that a boil water notice remains in effect. It could be up to a week before the boil notice can be rescinded because the City will need to take the necessary steps to ensure water quality. This will involve performing tasks such as water sampling, flushing, etc. to meet regulatory requirements. We are hoping to quickly complete these processes, but we must follow these procedures for public safety.
We have prepared information that can be found on the city website to include what to expect as water service is returned, how to deal with a water leak or broken pipe, and even information about how to select a contractor/plumber should you need it.
If you do not yet have water service, please note that it may take time to make its way through the water system. Unless we experience a problem, water is on its way.
There is more information to come as we work to get back to normal. If you are able, please visit ProtectSouthlake.com for more information. We will continue to update you as we go through the day. The weather and power outages may pose some challenges, but it’s a step in the right direction. Thanks for your patience.
During freezing conditions, you may experience a waterline leak or break. You may realize this immediately or may not become aware of this issue until conditions are above freezing and you hear the sound of running water when no faucets are turned on. You can check your water meter to determine if water is running when the faucets are turned off.
If you experience a waterline break, the first thing to do is locate your house water shut-off valve and completely switch off your water supply. You can usually find your house water shut-off valve located somewhere along the perimeter of your home, typically located inside a valve box. The water shut-off valve may also be in the garage or somewhere in the house in an access panel.
If you are unable to find the shut-off valve to your house, another option is to locate the water meter main shut-off valve located at the boundary line of your property near the street or sidewalk. This shut-off valve is typically located in a valve box similar to the photo below.
Once you have contained the emergency, contact a licensed plumber to repair the damaged water line. A plumber can turn off the water at your home if you are unable to do so. Please note that the plumber will be required to obtain a permit from the City for the repair. However, in the event of an emergency, the permit may be obtained the following business day after the repair has been made.
Of course, we hope that you do not experience a broken water line. A couple of preventative measures to consider are the opening of your cabinet doors to give your pipes access to warmer air from the rest of the house and keep your faucets dripping, especially those faucets located on an exterior wall. To keep outdoor plumbing fixtures from freezing, disconnect and store any garden hoses and insulate the outdoor faucets.
If you have questions, please contact Southlake Water Utilities at 817-748-8051 or email swucustomerservice@cityofsouthlake.com.
With another round of winter weather expected to arrive tonight and frigid temperatures to continue for the rest of the week, here is the last information on City of Southlake program and meeting cancelations:
City
Parks and Recreation Programs
Electric Outage
Tri-County Electric has requested members who are experiencing an outage of more than three hours to report it online at oms.tcectexas.com, through the member app TCEC Connect or by calling 817-444-3201. Tri-County prefers notification through the website or app because it is faster.
Oncor has stated that they have continued to be directed to drop the power load to the grid through maintained, controlled outages. They were able to rotate some outages overnight. However, poor grid conditions have prevented them from rotating or rolling, leading to extended periods without power. Per Oncor, ERCOT is unable to predict when the grid will stabilize. They ask that you do not report outages at this time.
Please visit our winter weather page on www.ProtectSouthlake.com, the City of Southlake Facebook Page, and the Southlake DPS Facebook page for the latest information.
With frigid temperatures expected to continue through the end of the week, here is the latest information on rolling blackouts/power outages and City of Southlake program and meeting cancelations.
Power Outages
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) advised all Texas power providers early Monday morning that they had entered emergency conditions and initiated rotating outages.
Oncor, one of Southlake’s primary power providers, said, “The length of controlled outages have been significantly extended due to the current emergency grid conditions and severe cold weather. These outages are taking place across the service territory, and ERCOT has said they could be required through Tuesday.” They also added that all Oncor customers should prepare to be without power for an extended period of time. Click here >>> http://bit.ly/Oncor3rW5i0P for Oncor’s outage map. They also have a downloadable mobile app.
Tri-County Electric provided this Facebook video update to its customers. Roughly 58,000 members are out of power, with 2,400 being snow/weather-related and 55,800 members involved in the rotating outages. Their alert page is here, and they are also encouraging their members to go to their Facebook page for updates.
The City has opened up an Emergency Temporary Warming Shelter for residents at the DPS North Facility, 100 East Dove Road. Residents who utilize the facility are encouraged to bring water and snacks. Limited electrical outlets are available for use. For more information, visit the City’s webpage.
Cancelations
City
Parks and Recreation Programs
Please visit our winter weather page on www.CityofSouthlake.com, the City of Southlake Facebook Page, and the Southlake DPS Facebook page for the latest information.
Due to the anticipated inclement weather this weekend and next week, the City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 16 will be held virtually. Other board and commissions’ meetings may be held virtually. Keep an eye on our Virtual Meetings webpage for the latest information.
Any further changes and closures due to weather will be announced through MySouthlakeNews.com and our social media pages.
Winter weather could impact City services. We will provide updates through social media regarding changes.
Residents are encouraged to utilize the City’s e-services.
Building Inspections
The City’s Building Inspection Division will not be scheduling or conducting any on-site inspections on Monday, February 15. Virtual inspections for water heater replacement and HVAC will still be available. The department will be continuously monitoring weather conditions to determine when on-site building inspections can resume. For updates on building inspection statuses, please visit the Building Inspections webpage or Customer Self-Service webpage. For questions, please call 817-748-8236 or 817-748-8237.
Road Maintenance
In the event of snow accumulation, the City will work to clear main thoroughfares for public safety. Construction projects will be affected by weather due to precipitation and temperature.
Please check road conditions through local media outlets or through Texas Department of Transportation Drive Texas website, before you drive and remember drive safely on roads with snow or potential ice.
Trash and Recycling
Republic Services has informed the City of Southlake that potential inclement weather could affect trash and recycling collection. We will communicate any updates we receive from Republic on changes to the schedule through social media and MySouthlakeNews.com.
Infrastructure
To protect your home, please use the following recommendations:
Winter Weather Preparedness
To stay updated on weather alerts, please make sure you are signed up for Alert Southlake. If you’re already signed up, please verify your Alert Southlake contact information.
As you prepare for anticipated weather events, please remember to prepare your home and vehicle, as well as potential power outages. Make sure to have water and warm clothing or blankets with you if you leave your home.
Use the infographic below for guidance.
It is important for all of us to stay safe during potential winter weather. Please be safe and stay up to date on weather conditions. Stay safe Southlake!
UPDATE 6:30 am 1/16/2018: the National Weather Service has canceled the Winter Weather Advisory. Temperatures remain very cold. Drivers are asked to use caution on the roads.
The DFW area, including Southlake, is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 6:00 p.m. Monday night (1/15) until 12:00 pm Tuesday (1/16) afternoon.
According to the Southlake DPS Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, wintry precipitation is likely across most of North and Central Texas Monday night and Tuesday morning.
If you are planning to travel late this evening or tomorrow morning stay informed. For the latest information around Southlake, visit the Southlake DPS Facebook page, Southlake DPS Twitter, the City of Southlake’s Facebook page, or the City of Southlake’s Twitter page. For the latest DFW information you can visit the National Weather Service Fort Worth Facebook page or your favorite local news source.
For information about the City’s emergency management operations and ideas about getting informed and getting prepared for hazards that could affect our community, visit CityofSouthlake.com.
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.
With winter just starting, here are a few tips to keep in mind to help prepare for the colder weather.
Driving
Pipes:
Plants:
Pets
Stay up-to-date with winter weather in Southlake by following Southlake Emergency Management on Southlake DPS Facebook and Twitter.
Snow and ice cover Southlake streets.
UPDATE 3/5 12:30 p.m. The Planning and Zoning meeting will take place tonight as scheduled. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Council chamber. Here is the link to the agenda: http://bit.ly/1EQTvob
UPDATE: 3/5 11:30 a.m. The roads are slowly improving as the temperature rises and the snow melts. Southlake DPS advises drivers to be cautious especially in shady areas. All City of Southlake offices will open at noon.
UPDATE 3/5 6:55 a.m. Southlake sand trucks are coating the streets, bridges and overpasses. If you are outside, please give the trucks plenty room so that workers can safely do their jobs.
UPDATE 3/5 6:15 a.m. Because of inclement weather, the City of Southlake offices will open at noon today. Southlake DPS advises that the roads are packed with snow and ice. They ask drivers to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Republic Services has advised the City that all collection activities for today, 3/5, are canceled. Services for commercial businesses will resume tomorrow (3/6) and residential services will resume on the next scheduled collection day.
UPDATE 10:05 p.m. City of Southlake sand trucks are on the streets sanding bridges and overpasses. Reports from the road crews say driving conditions are deteriorating quickly. Drivers are urged to stay off the roads.
UPDATE 9:05 p.m. The bridges are starting to become icy especially over bridges and overpasses. TxDOT has been notified. Watch for more updates as the weather and travel conditions change throughout the night and into the morning drive time.
UPDATE 6:20 p.m. Republic Services has notified the City that crews will be delayed Thursday, 3/5 due to weather. Republic’s plan is to start commercial collection at 9:00 a.m. and residential collection at 10:00 a.m. Republic will be re-assessing the roads in the morning to see if further changes are required.
Another round of winter weather is eminent. At this time we are expecting winter weather to begin impacting the Southlake area after 6 p.m. At least one to three inches of sleet or snow is expected with most of the accumulation is expected overnight. Please be careful if you need to travel this evening, but especially during the morning commute when road conditions are expected to be icy.
The City of Southlake has received the following forecast from the National Weather Service. Please keep in mind that this forecast is for North and Central Texas.
Winter precipitation and travel impacts are likely across North and Central Texas late this afternoon, tonight, and especially Thursday morning. Sleet and snow will be the primary precipitation type, with some areas of freezing rain occurring as well.
As cold air continues to surge southward Wednesday, rain will mix with and change to sleet from northwest to southeast:
For the most up to date information on the weather, please visit the National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas
Reports indicate Southlake may have received up to five inches of snow.
Exactly two months after a winter storm caused problems in DFW, Mother Nature has struck again. The morning storm brought freezing temperatures and left both snow and ice on the roads—causing a slow commute.
Southlake Public Works crews have been monitoring conditions throughout the day. As of 3 p.m. today, crews have put out more than 50 tons of sand on Southlake’s streets in an effort to increase traction and melt ice. Crews will continue to monitor road conditions throughout the evening and tomorrow and respond as needed.
Southlake Police Department has been busy as well. Officers have responded to more than 60 minor accidents so far today. Drivers are asked to remain cautious on roads especially on overpasses, bridges, roundabouts, and when turning.
With the exception of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting to be held as scheduled—with work session starting at 5:30 p.m., all other activities have been canceled.
Here is a complete list of City cancellations and closures for 2/6:
Due to temperatures in the upper teens and lower 20s the rest of today, tonight, and tomorrow the snow and ice is expected to remain on roads until late morning or early afternoon. Drivers should use caution and watch for ice patches tomorrow morning on bridges, overpasses and on neighborhood streets.
The City of Southlake will continue to monitor conditions throughout the tonight and tomorrow. For the latest updates on inclement weather, 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.