First responders discourage travel unless absolutely necessary
Updated Feb. 3, 2022, at 12:31 p.m.
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service Fort Worth Office for Bosque and surrounding counties to remain in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday.
No power outages have been reported by Texas New Mexico or United Cooperative Power, but temperatures are expected to remain below freezing until Saturday, leaving ice and sleet on the roadways.
The Bosque County Sheriff’s Office said road conditions are hazardous at best and travel is not recommended.
Clifton Police reported that as sleet melts on the roadways as vehicles travel, it is refreezing as sheets of ice.
First responders are urging residents to refrain from travelling unless absolutely necessary.
Thursday’s overnight low will dip into the mid-teens with wind chill values between zero and 8 degrees.
Friday morning will be sunny and cold, with a high near 30 and wind chill values between zero and 10 degrees. Friday’s overnight low is projected to drop to the low teens, though no new precipitation is expected.
Bosque County school districts have released the following schedules:
Clifton ISD –Classes start 10 a.m. Friday
Meridian ISD – Closed Friday
Cranfills Gap ISD –Closed Friday
Iredell ISD –Classes start 9:55 a.m. Friday
Kopperl ISD –Closed Friday; Saturday School cancelled
Valley Mills ISD – Closed Friday
Walnut Springs ISD –Closed Friday
From the Bosque County Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service:
Wind chills may dip as low as 5 degrees below zero, which could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. If you must travel, keep a flashlight, food, blankets and water in your vehicle in case of emergency.
Precipitation is expected to exit the region Thursday evening, but extreme cold temperatures may linger through Saturday.
Though the winter weather is not expected to last as long as last year’s event, the storm will bring ice and localized power outages may be expected. No system-wide outages or rolling blackouts are planned at this time.
The Bosque County Office of Emergency Management has prepared a list of Do’s and Do Not’s for this winter event.
DO:
-Top off your fuel tank in your car. It can act as a charging station for your cell phone or as a shelter in an extreme emergency. But do not run your car in your garage, even with the door open. Pull it outside.
-Make sure you have enough water to get you through a few days. If you lose power, you may lose water from your faucets depending on your water supply setup, or a line could freeze and shut down running water.
-Filling a bathtub with water in advance provides a lot of water for flushing toilets, washing your hands, etc. Drinking water should be separate. Bottled water is easiest, but any kitchen container can be used to store up to a few gallons of drinking water.
-Dress in layers, cover windows and doors with blankets, congregate in a central area of your house and close off unused areas if you lose power or heat.
-Protect your pipes by wrapping exposed outside piping, leaving under-sink cabinet doors open, dripping faucets, etc.
-Keep your cell phone charged. If you lose power, be diligent about preserving that charge to use in case of an emergency.
-Take precautions if providing a heat source for outdoor pets. Many fires have resulted from placing a light, heat lamp or other device in or close to a pet’s shelter area.
DO NOT:
-Run a generator in your garage. They must remain outside and clear of your house.
-Run your vehicle in your garage to stay warm. If you must shelter in your car, pull it outside. We know this is a repeat, but it’s important.
If you find yourself with no ability to stay warm and have no other options, please call the sheriff’s office non-emergency number at 254-435-2362. A dispatcher will take your information and pass it to the OEM, who will reach out to you with more details and information about the closest help available.
OEM has prepared several Community Hub shelter sites with generators to provide warmth and power to the community. Most of these sites are at volunteer fire departments.
However, none of these sites will be staffed unless a need arises, so please do not drive to your local VFD and expect someone to be there. Stations will only be staffed at the request of OEM based on specific community needs.
Updates will be provided on the winter event as they become available. Follow The Clifton Record or Meridian Tribune on Facebook or visit us at www.BosqueCountyToday.com for more.