UPDATED 6:30 P.M. SUNDAY, FEB. 14 - As of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14, road conditions are treacherous and multiple crashes have occurred. Snow will continue throughout the evening and temperatures are extremely cold. Stay at home unless absolutely necessary.
Allen City Hall closed Feb. 15 due to power outage | View all City closure and cancellation information
The National Weather Service predicts heavy, mixed precipitation with 3-6 inches of snow and a light glaze of ice. Strong winds will lead to blowing and drifting, reducing visibility to less than one mile at times. Wind chill factors below zero are forecast of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
"Travel will be dangerous and is highly discouraged on Sunday and Monday,” said the warning from the National Weather Service. “If you must travel, keep tools necessary for survival in extreme cold in your vehicle. Hypothermia could result if precautions are not taken.”
Recommended supplies for your vehicle include: warm blankets, jumper cables, a phone charger and an ice scraper. If you must leave your home, ensure you have plenty of gas and bring bottled waters to drink. Do not leave emergency water bottles in your vehicle, as they may freeze and become unusable in an emergency.
Allen does not maintain the plowing equipment needed to deal with major snow accumulations or treat residential/neighborhood streets. Bridges, main thoroughfares and intersections will be given priority attention, but may still become treacherous as conditions worsen.
As major accidents caused by snow and ice are possible, Allen Police and Fire Departments urge residents to stay at home unless absolutely necessary once precipitation begins.
Sprinkler systems
Turn your irrigation system off until temperatures rise again. Running irrigation systems with overspray onto sidewalks and roadways during freezing weather creates a safety hazard for pedestrians and drivers. The City issues warnings and/or notices of violation, as well as citations to property owners who allow their irrigation systems to run during a freeze event. To report a running sprinkler system during temperatures 32 degrees or below, call 214.509.3111.
Electric consumption
ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) manages the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers, representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. With extreme cold weather expected to result in record electric use in ERCOT region, consumers are encouraged to reduce electricity consumption as much as possible between the hours of 6 to 10 a.m. in the mornings and 6 to 10 p.m. in the evenings. Find tips. You can stay current on grid conditions by downloading the ERCOT app and following ERCOT on Twitter.
Power outages
Don't call 9-1-1 if your power goes out. Contact your power company to report the outage using the information found on your monthly statement. If you see fallen power lines on a road, alley or sidewalk, call 9-1-1 before contacting the power company.
- CoServ: Report power outages by texting OUT to 768482. You can get updates on the outage by texting STATUS to the same number. You can also call 844.330.0762 and bookmark CoServ.com/OutageMap for estimated restoration times and other updates. Or, use your registered SmartHub account to report an outage.
- ONCOR: Report an outage to Oncor by downloading the MyOncor app, calling 888.313.4747, visiting Oncor’s mobile-friendly outage map at Oncor.com or by texting OUT to 66267. You can streamline the My Oncor Alerts text program registration process by registering prior to a storm. To register, text REG to 66267.
- GCEC: Report power outages by texting OUT to 768482. You can get updates on the outage by texting STATUS to the same number. You can also call 903.482.7111 or use your registered SmartHub account or download the MyGCEC app.
Leaking/burst pipes
Rapid changes in temperature can put a strain on pipes. Report any outdoor leaks or breaks to Allen’s 24-hour water/sewer emergency hotline at 214.509.4530. To prevent pipes from bursting inside your home, open cabinet doors near pipes and keep faucets on a slight trickle when temperatures drop below freezing. This keep warm air circulating. Know where your water shutoff valve is located in case a leak does occur.
Generators/fireplaces
Generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas that can cause fainting and even death. Never use a generator inside your home, basement, garage or other enclosed space. Keep generators at least 20 feet away from any window, door or vent. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, install a CO detector in your home and replace the battery regularly. If you use a fireplace, inspect and clean the chimney annually and keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Don’t ever leave a fire unattended.
Pet care
Don’t leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. If they must be outside for extended periods of time, ensure they have a warm, dry shelter protected from the elements. Keep food and water dishes in a warm spot so they won’t freeze. Cats and small wildlife may seek shelter near the warm engines of parked cars, so bang on the hood to scare them away before you start the car.
Appliances, vents, meters and pipes
Atmos Energy provides a series of important reminders for snow and ice buildup for gas appliances, vents, meters and pipes.