Winter Weather Precautions
Power Outages:
Winter storms can cause power outages that last several hours, or even days. If you lose power, it is important to stay warm and conserve heat in your home safely. If you need help finding a warming center or assistance with your energy bill, please dial 2-1-1.
To stay warm you can:
- Close vents and shut doors in rooms you are not using.
- Place rolled towels or blankets at the bottom of doors to block drafts.
- During the day, open blinds and curtains on windows that receive direct sunlight to capture warmth; close them at night to retain heat.
- Never use grills, camp stoves, or generators indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Alerts and Emergency Information:
Weather conditions can change quickly during winter storms, making timely alerts critical.
- Find emergency alerts from your state and local public safety official, such as warming centers, and information.
- Download the FEMA App to receive real-time weather and emergency alerts, locate nearby shelters, and access preparedness tips.
- Monitor trusted sources such as the National Weather Service.
Road Safety:
Travel during winter weather is discourage whenever possible. Stay updated about road conditions by visiting DriveTexas.org.
School Delays and Closures:
School districts across South Texas may be delaying or cancelling classes due to the winter storm and severe weather. For the Rio Grande Valley, please click here and for the Coastal Bend area, please click here to know how your school district is affected.