Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-05-13 12:56 AM - Post#164776
Yes, I've been waiting a while to see how things shook out before posting any weather updates on here. Since the last one was a bust and I hesitated to post anything then, and eventually didn't, this one looks very likely. The only question now is how much ice we'll get and amount of precipitation again is the key. It is beginning to look more and more likely we will see icing, how much remains to be seen but I've seen expectations of .25 inch to over .5 inch and that sounds innocent enough if it were snow, not so much with ice. With another, even colder arctic blast (McFarland Signature), it can extend the icing issues for many people. Hopefully, the impacts for us will be low but do not be caught unprepared this time.
Bottom line is if you haven't already gotten stocked up and prepared for the potential impacts of being stuck indoors for any length of time, you MUST do so tomorrow. Freezing rain is expected to begin in the late afternoon, which could impact the ride home from work. If you are not at work tomorrow, make your store runs during the day. If you are working, make sure to make your store run immediately on your way home from work.
It appears the lions share of the ice/sleet/freezing rain is expected after midnight tomorrow through the morning. So DO NOT hesitate to get necessities taken care of tomorrow.
Make sure all outside water faucets have their hoses removed and covers placed on them. Make sure to have the means of clearing ice on walkways and or patios, especially for pets (and when you take them out for bathroom breaks, remember to clean their paws when they come in the house), make sure you have a means of clearing ice off of your cars and dress warmly in layers when going out. It is going to be COLD and wind chills will bring temps down into the teens. A couple of blankets in your cars, if you must travel, won't hurt to have either.
Make sure you stay up to the minute with your favorite weather forecasts and DO take this seriously. This DOES have the potential to have significant impacts to our area. Yes, it could also be minimal but this will not be like the last storm, at minimum we will be dealing with a dramatic drop in temperature and potentially dangerous icing conditions.
Stay safe everyone!
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9574
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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12-05-13 11:20 AM - Post#164782
In response to Maurice
Yep, the Midland/Lubbock line is very telling of our future, icing already.
This is late but still an opportunity today to prep cars/homes/plants/and faucet thingies. And never regret posting about a storm that didn't pan out. Those people that comment about such things aren't really interested in weather anyway or they would check it more regularly.
Actually that event should have made them think about this one, so they're all ready, right? 
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-05-13 01:54 PM - Post#164790
In response to civicminded
Hopefully everyone is ready! :)
NWS has upgraded their predictions for our area, they are expecting significant icing greater than .5" on all roads. This is their wording, so please pay heed.
"Significant ice accumulations in excess of 1/2" are expected on all primary and secondary roads as well as bridges from the DFW Metroplex north to the Red River and east to the Paris area. Dangerous travel conditions are expected with a high likelihood of power outages in some areas."
Light layers of ice are starting to form, so be careful on your drives this afternoon. If you need anything from the store, get it on the way home and then stay home. Unless it is absolutely necessary for you to be out on the road, don't take the risk in driving.
Stay safe everyone!
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-06-13 12:59 AM - Post#164798
In response to Maurice
Another note as people may still be up due to lots of business and school closures already in place for tomorrow. Make sure you have candles and flashlights handy, power outages will begin to spread as transformers let go and power lines go down. I just stepped outside to check how things were and the grass and trees had a nice accumulation of ice on them and I could clearly and repeatedly hear cracking sounds. That's the ice weighing down on tree limbs, which in turn can cause issues coming down on power lines. So make sure you have alternate light sources ready and I would strongly advise keeping your cell phones on chargers to keep your batteries topped off. Same for laptops as well.
Stay safe and warm everyone!
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-06-13 02:04 AM - Post#164799
In response to Maurice
30,000 without power in Dallas and Collin counties mainly, as of now. Sadly, I'm confident we'll see more of those as the heavier stuff is now beginning.
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Community Manager
member
Posts: 96
Reg: 08-20-13
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12-06-13 02:56 AM - Post#164800
In response to Maurice
30,000 without power in Dallas and Collin counties mainly, as of now. Sadly, I'm confident we'll see more of those as the heavier stuff is now beginning.
Maurice, thank you for the updates!
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2889
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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12-06-13 09:54 AM - Post#164805
In response to Maurice
DART Lightrail is not running today. If you have to get to work, please drive carefully!
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it. 
Will work for shoes!  |
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ConserveNature
enthusiast
Posts: 174
Reg: 10-15-05
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12-06-13 09:55 AM - Post#164806
In response to Maurice
Woke up about 2:30 a.m. Oops, power out. Groped way to bathroom, then to find flashlight and call TXU. Oh, power on. Laid awake for about an hour. Lights flashing on and off about 3 times and finally stayed on. Back asleep. Woke about 6:30 a.m. Power out again, but soon back on and so far staying on. Went outside and took lots of pictures in the sleet. One neighbor had at least 4 branches broken off. My rosebushes, bushes and trees were sagging about 2 feet. Hoping they are ok by Tuesday when it warms to 40.
Luckily, turned off computer early last night.
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civicminded
Community Guide
Posts: 9574
Loc: Lone Star State
Reg: 04-24-02
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12-06-13 01:56 PM - Post#164817
In response to ConserveNature
Yeah the numbers keep bouncing around over the 200,000 mark. I'm on duty and we finally got a generator. Hopefully it keeps working and we can respond when others call for help. In the past it took some work to get out of the stall during a power outage thingy.
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-06-13 04:17 PM - Post#164833
In response to civicminded
Yea, that number jumped quite a bit from the last time I posted, which was to be expected. Sadly, there's been at least one fatality due to the roads,. A man lost his life in Arlington as he was not able to stop his vehicle in time to avoid hitting an 18 wheeler that was stopped on the shoulder and partially in the lane.
Be safe out there, take your time and GIVE EACH OTHER ROOM!!!! I don't care if you have the uber-mega-superduper landrover-hummer-whatcham acallit type of vehicle, you WILL LOSE to the ice. 4-wheel drive doesn't mean SQUAT against ice. Without friction, you are completely hostage to inertia. So PLEASE, drive smart, defensive, respectfully and take turns VERY SLOWLY, be safe while out there.
Being a little late somewhere beats never getting there, so take your time.
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-06-13 04:17 PM - Post#164834
In response to Maurice
Hope your generator keeps humming along Civic, thanks for being out there for everyone!
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Allensince1993
enthusiast
Posts: 521
Reg: 06-06-12
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12-06-13 04:27 PM - Post#164836
In response to civicminded
Yep, the Midland/Lubbock line is very telling of our future, icing already.
This is late but still an opportunity today to prep cars/homes/plants/and faucet thingies. And never regret posting about a storm that didn't pan out. Those people that comment about such things aren't really interested in weather anyway or they would check it more regularly.
Actually that event should have made them think about this one, so they're all ready, right?
Can you please call Allen ISD next time? Apparently they didn't have the forecast and couldn't make a judgment call earlier in the day.
James DeLaGarza
Realtor/Broker since 1992 |
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-07-13 04:30 AM - Post#164853
In response to Allensince1993
I was out on the road tonight and it was definitely very slick out there. If you MUST drive on the roads, please SLOW DOWN! Also, it's not wise to ride side by side with another car, especially around a bend or any sort of turn. Stagger your distance from a car to your side, the same as you should give a few car lengths to a vehicle in front of you.
I saw several cars tonight flying up the road and by flying I mean 40+MPH. Most of the cars on the road kept their speeds to 20-30MPH, which was better but seeing a car flying up behind me and then switching lanes, I was just waiting to get hit.
Be smart out there people. Be safe, for yourselves and your fellow drivers on the road. I'd advise not being on the road unless absolutely necessary.
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2889
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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12-08-13 07:51 AM - Post#164893
In response to Maurice
How are the highways today? I can't find any reports this early! My husband is going to have to go out (he can wait until it's light out). Yes, it will be absolutely necessary.
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it.
Will work for shoes! |
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Don4
enthusiast
Posts: 523
Loc: Allen 1993
Reg: 04-11-06
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12-08-13 12:28 PM - Post#164894
In response to V-Girl
My observation, from Allen southward 75 is clear. Bridges still have ice between the lanes You can also pull up the TxDot cameras on line.
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V-Girl
enthusiast
Posts: 2889
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 07-12-01
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12-08-13 12:32 PM - Post#164895
In response to Don4
Thanks! He made it to work. Hoping he doesn't have to stay too long.
Crazy doesn't even begin to cover it.
Will work for shoes! |
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Maurice
Community Expert
Posts: 4107
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 12-03-01
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12-08-13 08:07 PM - Post#164918
In response to V-Girl
Yea, roads have been better today with a lot of thawing but be careful tomorrow morning as it will freeze again tonight. Be safe everyone!
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monita
enthusiast
Posts: 443
Reg: 06-05-08
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12-09-13 08:45 AM - Post#164926
In response to Maurice
What are the roads like this morning. I have to go to legacy and the tollway @ 10 for work.
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Nutmeg
member
Posts: 73
Reg: 11-06-06
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12-09-13 08:56 AM - Post#164927
In response to monita
No real issues, should be even better by 10.
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monita
enthusiast
Posts: 443
Reg: 06-05-08
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12-09-13 09:04 AM - Post#164928
In response to Nutmeg
Thanks
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