Austin Roads Prepped For Potential Icing, Flooding Conditions

AUSTIN, TX — Road crews are poised to prepare local roadways for potential icing ahead of potential rain and freezing temperatures, officials said Tuesday.

Texas Department of Transportation officials said crews began pretreating bridges and overpasses on major Austin roads on Tuesday. Pretreating roads with a brine solution helps prevent ice from sticking to the pavement, officials explained in an advisory. Work teams and trucks will then be placed on standby, to respond to ice situations, as the need arises, officials added.

Officials said the Austin district is working closely with the National Weather Service to monitor conditions. State transportation officials added that motorists can also do their part by driving carefully and following these guidelines:

• Use caution when driving over bridges and overpasses. These are the first to freeze.
• Reduce your speed. A vehicle needs at least three times more space to stop on a slick roadway. Do not apply the brakes suddenly, and avoid using cruise control, so that you can respond better if you encounter slippery roads.
• Slow down when approaching emergency or maintenance vehicles, especially when their flashing lights are on. The law requires you to maintain a distance of at least 200 feet when approaching crews, and do not pass on the right. Visibility can also be reduced during winter weather conditions.
• Be patient. Your trip time – including short commutes to work – could increase when adverse weather conditions exist. Also, keep to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts through territory that may not have been treated.
• Winterize vehicles before traveling during adverse weather. Check fuel, tire, oil and antifreeze levels. Make sure heater, brakes and windshield wipers are working properly.
• Check area weather conditions on radio or television before starting a trip.

For real-time roadway conditions, check DriveTexas.org.

Concurrently, the governor announced having placed numerous resources on standby ahead of winter weather and potential flash flooding expected to impact the state. As the storm system moves across Texas Wednesday and Thursday, West Texas is anticipated to receive heavy snowfall and a wintry mix of precipitation, while central and eastern portions of the state will see severe storms with the potential to produce flash flooding and river flooding, the governor explained.

"As winter weather and heavy rain make their way across the our state, I urge Texans to be cautious of changing weather conditions and take proactive measures to protect themselves and their loved ones," Abbott said in a prepared statement. "The State of Texas has been working closely with local officials to prepare for these storms, and we will continue to provide the resources needed to keep our communities safe."

At the direction of the governor, the Texas Division of Emergency Management has rostered the following state resources to support both winter and severe weather response operations:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw crews and incident management teams.
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force One and Two): 4 boat squads; 1 Type III Urban Search And Rescue package.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Boats and teams to support water rescue operations as well as 4-wheel drive vehicles and personnel to support winter weather response operations for stranded motorists.
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Emergency Medical Task Force severe weather packages.
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT): High-profile vehicles and winter weather preparation/response equipment and crews.
• Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Highway patrol: helicopters with hoist capability.
• Texas Public Utility Commission: Utility outage monitoring and reporting.

In his advisory, the governor noted the Texas Department of Transportation has begun treating roadways across West Texas for winter weather. To be sure, the National Weather Service is not predicting freezing weather for the Austin area in the coming days, although wind gusts and rain are part of the forecast.

Tuesday called for a 20 percent chance of rain under cloudy condition and a high near 73 degrees. South southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

As for the remainder of the week:

• A chance of showers will emerge by Tuesday night, with thunderstorms also possible after midnight. Conditions will be cloudy, with a low around 62 degrees, and south/southeast winds blowing between 10 to 15 mph. Wind gusts are expected to whip as high as 30 mph, with a chance of precipitation at 50 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday will be marked by showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before noon, then showers and thunderstorms after noon. The temperature will rise to near 70 by noon, then falling to around 56 during the remainder of the day. South southeast wind between 5 to 15 mph will shift to the north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph, and the chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch are possible.
• Wednesday night calls for showers and thunderstorms with a low temp of around 41. North wind will blow between 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.
• Thursday calls for more rain, with a high near 43. The north wind will blow between 10 to 15 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Come nightfall, it will be partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
• New Year's Day on Friday is expected to be sunny, with a high near 58. West wind around 10 mph. By Friday night, conditions will become partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
• No freezing weather is seen into Saturday and Sunday, expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 59 and a low of around 35 for the former and sunny with a high near 65 and a low of 41 degrees for the latter.

Texas Department of Safety officials issued tips for residents ahead of a cold front expected to bring winter weather to parts of the state this week, reminding residents to take precautions ahead of freezing rain, sleet, snow, ice or other wintry mix that may impact their area.

"Texans are encouraged to make sure their vehicles are properly maintained for winter weather," officials wrote in an advisory. "This includes checking the battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure, tire treads and fluid levels, as well as ensuring proper lubrication of door and trunk locks to prevent them from freezing."

To that end, the agency offered tips to ensure road safety this winter:

• Monitor local weather broadcasts and check the latest weather conditions from the National Weather Service.
• Be aware that ice accumulates on bridges and overpasses before drivers will see it on roads and highways, so approach them more slowly in winter weather.
• Avoid traveling when sleet, freezing rain or snow is predicted, and monitor road conditions by visiting Drive Texas or calling (800) 452-9292.
• If you must drive in inclement weather, allow extra time to reach your destination. Share your travel plans with a friend or family member.
• On icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others, as you may need increased room to stop your vehicle. Do not use cruise control.
• Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
• Watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stop light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also offers the following tips to help protect you and your home all season long:

• Use an all-hazards weather radio for up-to-date warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information.
• Sign up for calls or texts from your local emergency notification system.
• Insulate outside faucets and pipes near outer walls.
• Make sure furnaces, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are clean, well-ventilated and in good working condition.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls and combustible materials, including furniture and bedding, and don’t operate these machines when you’re asleep. Also ensure the space heater cannot tip over.
• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never operate a generator or other fuel-powered device inside a home, garage or other enclosed space. The odorless, colorless gas is deadly and is produced any time a fossil fuel is burned. Sources include motor vehicle engines, generators and fuel-burning appliances or heating systems. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
• Check on friends and family members whose health or age may put them at greater risk.
• Stock up on firewood and supplies, including canned goods, bottled water and medication.

Drivers are also encouraged to keep the following emergency supplies in their vehicles:

• Blanket or sleeping bag;
• Extra clothes, gloves and a hat;
• Cell phone, radio, flashlight, extra batteries and phone charging cord;
• First aid kit and pocket knife;
• High-calorie, non-perishable food and bottled water;
• A bag of sand or cat litter to provide traction for tires;
• Windshield scraper, tool kit, booster cables, tow rope and a shovel; and
• Jumper cables.

For more tips on vehicle safety, visit Ready.gov, and check out these winter driving safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).