Weekend temperature in Williamson County expected to plummet

The January 23-25 weather forecast calls for low temperatures dipping into the teens and highs around 30 this weekend, with a strong chance of winter precipitation that could include freezing rain and/or snow. 

The precipitation will be seen throughout Central Texas — as well as across the Southeast United States from North Carolina through west Texas — and could result in infrastructure damage, road closures and electricity outages in certain parts of the state and country. 

An official winter weather watch was issued on January 21, with impacts expected from midnight of January 24 to until noon on January 25. The National Weather Service branch in Austin said the highest potential for ice accumulation will be from early Saturday through Sunday, impacting areas from the Texas Hill Country to the I-35 corridor. 

“Severe impacts” from ice are forecast for the Dallas area, while “significant impacts” could be seen in the Austin area and small er “localized impacts” to the south near San Antonio. Expect impacts to roadways that could limit travel opportunities, Also, tree damage is possible depending on ice accumulation on branches. 

In Georgetown, the forecast on Wednesday afternoon showed rain starting on Friday, with an evening a low of 29 degrees. On Saturday, the high could be as low as 31 degrees, with a 90 percent chance of freezing precipitation. Saturday night will see a possible low of 14, with a 60 percent chance of wintery mix. Sunday will see a slight change of wintry mix in the first part of the day, with sun later in the day and a high of 28 degrees. 

The weather forecast is subject to change as the weekend unfolds. The most recent forecast for Georgetown from the National Weather Service can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ywm6xvj6. 

Nonprofits preparing warming center 

Helping Hands of Georgetown — in partnership with Navigation Services, First United Methodist Church and community volunteers — will open a warming center at Getsemani Community Center, 412 East 19th Street, Georgetown, for those seeking shelter. 

The center will be open on Friday, January 23, from 6 p.m. to Saturday morning at 9 a.m. The same schedule of 6 p.m. at night to 9 a.m. will be followed throughout the weekend and into Monday night/ Tuesday morning, if low temperatures persist. 

Pets are welcome at the warming center, but they must remain in a closed crate while indoors and owners are responsible for their care. Crates, food and sanitary bags will be available if needed. 

Those looking to volunteer can sign up at Pointapp.org/orgs/7032. Volunteers are needed to help drive folks from the library to the warming center, to help with check-in and monitoring the center overnight. 

Other needs include pillows, hygiene items, warm blankets, chapstick, hand warmers, warm men’s clothing, towels, food for breakfast and dinner, hot chocolate, aerosol sanitizing spray, laundry detergent and Odoban to sanitize bedding after it’s used. Things can be dropped off during business hours in the blue barrels in the front of the Helping Hands of Georgetown office, 1100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Amazon items can also be sent to this address.

Monitoring water and electricity outages 

The weather this weekend may cause electric or water outages. The City of Georgetown asks that residents make the appropriate accommodations for medical supplies, devices and potential water leaks or outages. 

“City electric crews are on standby and ready to respond to outages and restore power safely,” the city said in a press release.

Those experiencing a power outage can check the city’s outage map at https://electricoutage.georgetown.org/ or text STATUS to 512-930-8400. The system will recognize the number if it’s tied to a city utility account. 

Oncor or PEC customers can check for outages at www.oncor.com/content/oncorwww/us/en/home.html or https://mypec.com//pec-outage-center, respectively. 

Water customers experiencing a leak or outage are asked to check the outage map first at https://tinyurl.com/5kkszwu5 to see if it’s been reported. If it’s not reported, customers can call 512-930-3640 and press 1. 

To receive updates on a water outage, text STATUS to 512-930-3640. 

TxDOT treating roads 

Texas Department of Transportation crews pretreated major corridors in the Austin area Wednesday evening. Roadways were treated with a saltwater solution to prevent freezing, according to the department. 

Major corridors are the priority, in an effort to keep roads safe for emergency responders during the weather. Still, ice can be hard or impossible to spot, especially at night, and could create dangerous conditions. 

According to the department, residents should “avoid unnecessary travel” during winter weather. If traveling, drive to the conditions by lowering typical speeds, increasing following distances and not relying on cruise control or lane assist. 

Protect pipes 

Low temperatures and shifting ground could cause water pipes to burst or freeze, impacting water access for residents. The City of Georgetown suggested residents fill bathtubs with water to have on hand, which is a good practice if severe winter weather is imminent. 

To avoid pipes bursting in your own home, make sure any outdoor pipes are insulated. This can be done by a professional plumber, or using foam or fiberglass wraps to cover outdoor faucets. These are sold at most hardware stores and at H-E-B. Even loose rags and duct tape can do in a pinch, as it’s better to have some protection on your pipes than none at all. 

Inside the home, if the heat is on, open the under sink cabinets where pipes are clustered to avoid in-home bursts. Dripping faucets overnight can also help, since it allows water to move through the pipes instead of standing in freezing temperatures. 

If a leak is detected, turn off the water to that area immediately to reduce possible water damage. 

Keep pets warm 

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter encourages pet parents to prepare ahead of time in order to keep furry friends safe as the Texas weather changes. 

Provide extra bedding like blankets to help retain body heat. If the pet enjoys sweaters or hoodies, those can also be used. 

Bring pets indoors when temperatures drop below 40 degrees. If that’s not possible, ensure they have an insulated, dry shelter shielded from the wind. 

Make sure bathroom breaks are quick and supervised. 

Wipe paws after outdoor walks to remove ice, chemicals or salt that can irritate sensitive skin. 

Protect people, loved ones 

Make sure to check on elderly neighbors and family members who typically do not leave their homes. During freezes, make sure home-bound people and older adults have their medications, a stock of food and clean water. Check in when possible to make sure they are doing alright during and after a storm. 

Protect plants

One of the most common problems people faced during winter storms involved damage caused by falling trees. Limbs that become laden with heavy ice can fall and cause damage, to the tree itself, the home or roadways. 

Keeping trees and plants well-watered ahead of a storm can help improve their health and stamina in the cold. Trim back large, loose tree limbs before a storm. For limbs that hang over the home, remove limbs that are less than 4-feet above a roof.

Prepare for winter weather 

This do-to list from Williamson County can help residents prepare for hazardous winter weather. 

• Sign up for alerts at WarnCentralTexas.org to receive emergency notifications. 
• Maintain at least 72 hours of essential supplies like nonperishable food and water. 
• Make an emergency kit containing up-to-date prescriptions, important documents like IDs and financial forms, first aid kit, flashlight, and other items. 
• Get a chimney sweeper to inspect and clean the chimney flue ahead of use. 
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are operational. Make sure that you change the batteries every time there is a time change, or every six months. 
• Stay indoors when possible during freezing temperatures. 
• When heating your house, keep combustibles at least three feet away in all directions. 
• Be mindful of how many items you have in your outlet and don’t overload the circuit breaker 
• Do not use your oven, barbecue or gas grills as an indoor heating source. These items can produce carbon monoxide or dangerous fumes within the residence. 
• If using a generator, keep it 20 feet away from your residence to reduce carbon monoxide exposure. 
• If you must go outside, dress in warm layers and protect exposed skin. 
• Know the signs of frostbite, which include numbness, pale or grayish-yellow skin, and a waxy texture in the affected area. Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness and poor coordination. 
• If you need to commute, make sure your vehicle is maintained and that you drive carefully. Explore the route online prior to travel to anticipate possible impacts or alternative routes. Visit drivetexas.org to know the current road conditions, or monitor city and county social media for updates. 
• When driving, remember to drive slowly. Increase that follow distance to a minimum of six seconds, and try to stick to major routes that should be better treated for ice and snow.