Winter weather: Texas officials urge people to be prepared ahead of arctic blast
AUSTIN, Texas - With an arctic blast on the way, Texas officials want to make sure people understand weather conditions are about to change.
When will the arctic blast hit Central Texas?
Timeline:
The Polar Vortex is heading for the Midwest, and it will send Central Texas two cold fronts.
One front will arrive early on Saturday, Jan. 18, and the second one is set to arrive on Sunday morning.
The weather will turn sunny, windy and colder this weekend with highs and lows running 20 to 30 degrees below average for several days and nights.
It's expected that there will be five freezing mornings in a row from Sunday to Thursday.
Winds are predicted to be 15-25 mph on Saturday and 25-35 mph on Sunday.
Wind chills will be in the teens and early 20s on Sunday.
How should Texans be prepared?
What they're saying:
"I don't want people to be lulled into a false sense of security going into the weekend," said Seth Christensen with the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
The basic winter weather rule is now in play, according to Christensen.
"I really want folks to think about the 4 Ps. Take care of people, pets, plants and pipes. Make sure you have a plan," said Christensen.
Providers of firewood are getting ready for a weekend run. But staying warm should include knowing where warming centers are located. The state has a map of locations posted online.
Being prepared for a cold spell is also a team effort, according to people like Round Rock resident Lawrence Dillard.
"You have to respect it, but it's nothing to panic about. And then the last, but not least, people need to be more friendly and neighborly because a lot of times you need help from your neighbors," said Dillard.
To help with helping neighbors, the state has a special online emergency registry.
"If you need assistance during an event, go there today and register at STEAR.texas.gov and let your community know what your needs are during a disaster," said Christensen.
The site can provide a red flag for the local community to go out and check.
"It does. It gives local jurisdictions the opportunity to say, hey, this individual at this address has a specific need, and it lets those local first responders then determine where they will go, how they will respond to those individuals," said Christensen.
The state response right now involves treating roadways. TxDOT crews were out Friday. Also, officials are asking to keep a watch-out for those flashing lights on the roads as treatment will continue through Sunday.
Pre-treatment can include areas around your home, according to Cedar Park resident Marsha James.
"Stock up on ice melt. Get it down on the sidewalk so you don't slip and fall," said James.
Regional supply warehouses, operated by the state, are also being restocked. Earlier this week, supplies started rolling out of the central site in San Antonio.
"During the last winter event, when we saw folks that were stranded along roadways, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the military department and others were out in force patrolling those roadways. And we're utilizing food, water, blankets that we had stocked them with and given them to go out and respond to those incidents," said Christensen.
The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Rudy Koski