CONDITIONS TO WORSEN TONIGHT — Rainfall preceded Winter Storm Fern’s introduction to Wise County Friday, with impacts from the arctic front expected to begin later this afternoon and evening as temperatures drop and precipitation transitions to freezing rain and sleet. Temperatures are expected to dip below freezing Friday and remain there until Tuesday next week, with potentially dangerous wind chills over the weekend. National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office advised that the system could produce heavy mixed precipitation that could lead to up to an half inch of ice in Wise County before temperatures rise above freezing again. Sleet and snow accumulations of up to 3 inches are possible over the weekend, with heavier snowfall expected near the Red River. “Based on the information we received from our call with NWS, we could see travel impacts as early as 2 p.m. on Friday but this is less likely,” Wise County Emergency Management Coordinator Cody Powell said in an email Wednesday. “There is high confidence that travel impacts will begin around sunset Friday evening with conditions deteriorating rapidly into the evening and overnight. Poor travel conditions are likely to remain through the weekend and potentially continuing into Monday.”
TXDOT TAKES FIRST SWING AT ICE — Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has already mobilized its fleet of brine applicators in Wise County this week, pre-treating highways and major thoroughfares. The winter storm could bring a potentially bitter mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow. The primary concern surrounds the amount of freezing rain that falls from that mixture, due to its tendency to glaze on roads upon impact.“We’ve entered 24/7 operations,” TxDOT Public Information Officer Val Lopez said. “ He said that TxDOT will continue working the roads through the entirety of the event to mitigate travel impacts, adding that it’s operating on a high degree of confidence that road conditions will be impacted by ice from the storm. To help limit hazards, TxDOT has pre-treated roads with brine — a saltwater mixture used to lower the freezing point on road surfaces — and gassed up other road clearing and sanding equipment. The brine mixture creates a barrier, preventing ice from bonding to the pavement and making it easier to remove. Remember that TxDOT’s anti-ice measures are limited to major highways and some Farm Roads. County Roads will likely be the most dangerous.
ERCOT ISSUES WEATHER WATCH — Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a Weather Watch from January 24-27 due to forecasted below-freezing temperatures with the possibility of frozen precipitation across the region, higher electrical demand and the potential for lower reserves. Grid conditions can be monitored on http://ercot.com.
SEVERAL LOCAL OFFICES CLOSE — Wise County governmental offices and many city offices will close early at noon today. All 24 hour services — including dispatch, EMS police, fire and public works — will remain staffed and ready to respond throughout the winter weather event, according to officials. Additionally, the Precinct No. 3 jury trial set for Monday, Jan. 26 has been canceled. For an intermittently updated list of closures and schedule changes, click here. Email news@wcmessenger.com with closure/schedule changes relevant to the public.
LIVE FORECAST UPDATES — The National Weather Service posts the latest information at the following link: weather.gov/fwd/. The Wise County Office of Emergency Management will post local emergency information at the following link: facebook.com/wisecountyoem.
ROAD UPDATES — Texas Department of Transportation highway conditions may be found at this link: drivetexas.org. The Messenger will also provide updates on road conditions in Wise County and storm progression at wcmessenger.com. TxDOT cameras in Bridgeport and Decatur (Search “Wise County” or roadways US287 and US380) can be viewed here: its.txdot.gov/its/District/FTW/cameras
THE POWER SITUATION — Oncor Area Manager Sabrina Easley said Oncor is rolling out additional assets including contract labor to respond during the storm, while also fast-tracking certain projects to be completed before Fern’s arrival. Oncor updates a map of power outages at the following link: stormcenter.oncor.com. Wise Electric posts information about power outages at the following link: outageentry.com/Outages. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) grid conditions can be monitored at the following link: ercot.com/gridmktinfo/dashboards/gridconditions. The Wise County Messenger will also be sharing updates throughout the weather event on its social media channels and wcmessenger.com. The Texas Division of Emergency Management maintains a list/map of warming centers at the following link: tdem.texas.gov/warm. TDEM also shares winter weather safety tips at texasready.gov.
WHAT TO DO/NOT TO DO IF YOU DRIVE — Monitor local weather broadcasts and check the latest weather conditions from the National Weather Service and TxDOT before you hit the road. Avoid traveling when sleet, freezing rain or snow is predicted and monitor road conditions by visiting DriveTexas.org. If you must drive in inclement weather, allow extra time to reach your destination. Share your travel plans with a friend or family member so someone knows the route you’re taking. On icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others, as you may need additional room to stop. Do not use cruise control during poor driving conditions. Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before you head out. Not a bad idea to pack some essentials if you get stuck. Be aware that ice accumulates on bridges and overpasses before drivers may see it on roads, so approach them more slowly in winter weather. Watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stoplight is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. 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.
WHAT TO DO/NOT TO DO AT HOME — 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. Turn them off when you’re away or sleeping. Also, ensure that space heaters cannot tip over and that the cord is not damaged. 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 anytime a fossil fuel is burned. Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven. 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.
2 INJURED IN WRECK — A woman and a young child were taken to Fort Worth hospitals in critical condition following a three-vehicle crash on Texas 114 near Rhome Thursday afternoon. At around 3:45 p.m., a sedan, occupied by the critically injured woman and child, was struck by a three-quarter-ton pickup truck. A third vehicle was also involved in the crash. The child was transported by Air Evac Lifeteam 68 to Cook Children’s Medical Center, while the adult female was taken by ground ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital. No other patients were transported from the scene. The man operating the pickup truck was not injured. A woman in the third vehicle sustained minor injuries but declined transport. Westbound traffic on Texas 114 was shut down for more than an hour as first responders worked the scene. Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including Wise County EMS units Rescue-1, Squad-1, Medic-3, Medic-4 and Medic-5, along with Rhome Fire Department, Rhome Police Department, Boyd Police Department, Boyd Fire Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
NO PRINTED UPDATE MONDAY — See wcmessenger.com for news and information.
SERVICE for Paul Milligan, 72, of Denton is 2 p.m. Friday at Rise Church in Decatur. Visitation is noon-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur is handling arrangements.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE for Howard Freitag, 98, of Decatur is 11 a.m. Jan. 31, at Shaffer Funeral Home in San Angelo.
FUNERAL for John Waggoner Polhemus, 76, of Decatur is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Decatur. Family will receive friends 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
SERVICE is pending for James Archer, 81, of Decatur.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL for Benita Gonzalez, 67, of Bridgeport is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in Bridgeport with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with Rosary at 7 p.m.
SERVICE for Lorenzo Garza, 81, of Bridgeport is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport with burial at The Mexican Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE for Timothy Schmidt, 72, of Chico 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at Chico Cemetery. Family will receive friends 12:30 to 1:30 prior to the service at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.
MEMORIAL service for John McNamara, 61, of Highland Village is 6 p.m. Monday at Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Visitation is at 5 p.m. prior to the service.
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