Many people in the central and eastern United States have been preparing for Winter Storm Fern, expected to move in later Friday into early Saturday, and last through Sunday and early Monday, with temperatures expected to warm again by Tuesday.
Conditions for West Texas over the weekend may include potential freezing rain, ice, snow, and extreme cold, with meteorologists expecting 5-10 inches across parts of the South Plains. This will create travel hazards for drivers, utility issues in homes and could disrupt power for some families.
Lubbock County, the South Plains and Texas Panhandle were included in a disaster declaration for more than 130 Texas counties by Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, but ERCOT officials expect the power grid’s generation will be sufficient through the winter storm.
Lubbock ISD and Frenship ISD cancelled classes for Friday, with Lubbock-Cooper ISD and Texas Tech University’s Lubbock campus releasing early.
Atmos Energy gave the following list of tips for families to save energy and avoid fires during the frozen weather:
- Inspect your gas piping and appliances. You are responsible for any natural gas piping on your property from our gas meter to your house or business.* As the owner of your home’s gas piping and appliances, it’s your responsibility to schedule regular inspections and maintenance.
- To help keep your home safe and to improve energy efficiency, always operate and maintain your natural gas appliances according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Never use an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home.
- Protect natural gas meters. Remove snow and ice from natural gas meters with a broom or brush. Never kick or chip snow and ice away with a hard object.
- Keep external vents for dryers and other natural gas equipment clear. Blocked vents can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas.
- Minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Leave faucets running at a trickle, open cabinet doors, and close all exterior doors and windows to keep heat inside.
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
- Reduce your shower and bath time. Showering and bathing can account for 40 percent of your home's hot water use.
- Keep warm air inside. Unless a fire is burning, close your fireplace damper to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney.
- Do not use a pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.
Space heaters should be plugged only into wall outlets – not power strips – should be kept at least three feet away from anything flammable, and never left unattended.
The City of Lubbock requests that residents ensure their sprinklers and irrigation are turned off during freezing temperatures.
For those on the road, the Texas Department of Public Safety encourages drivers to take precautions.
This includes checking your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure, tire treads and fluid levels, as well as ensuring door and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing.
When driving, avoid unnecessary lane changes and try to follow the tire tracks of others. When breaking, apply firm and steady pressure to your brakes instead of slamming them.
Do not use cruise control during poor driving conditions. Be aware that ice accumulates on bridges and overpasses before you may see it.
If a stoplight is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
If you find yourself in need of assistance on the road, call the motorists helpline at:
1-800-525-5555.
And if you need a warm place to stay during the day, the City of Lubbock Public Libraries will serve as warming centers during normal operating hours starting Friday at noon.
All library branches will provide free water, Wi-Fi, and charging stations when temperatures are 25 degrees or below, when there is an inch or more of snow, and/or when other conditions such as severe wind chills and freezing rain are present.
Libraries will be offering warming centers on Friday from noon to 6 P.M., and Saturday from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., with only the Mahon Library open Sunday, from 1 to 5 P.M.