March 4 is the most extraordinary and extreme wind weather event seen in Williamson County since 2006, County Judge Bill Gravell said during a Commissioners Court meeting earlier that day.
“The messaging that we received yesterday from the National Weather Service—in my time as county judge—was the most extreme and cautious words that we've ever received,” Gravell said.
An emergency management team is responding to damage at a storage facility caused by straight line winds or possibly a tornado in western Williamson County the morning of March 4, Gravell said. While no major fire resulted from the event, a power line did go down at the location, he said.
“Our emergency management team has been working with our fire chiefs in constant communication,” Gravell said. “Let's be wise and prudent today. A fire literally could cost someone their life.”
Unless extended by commissioners, the declaration and order shall continue for seven days, according to county documents.
According to a March 4 Williamson County Instagram post, a combination of strong winds and dry air creates an environment where a fire could spread fast and become difficult to control.
Posted March 4, 9:15 a.m.
Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell signed an Order Declaring a Local State of Disaster on March 3, which will temporarily prohibit outdoor burning. The order comes in response to severe weather throughout the county, including drought and increased wind which could exacerbate wildfire conditions.
“Based on the feedback from the National Weather Service, I am issuing this declaration,” Gravell said in a news release. “In addition to Tuesday being a Red Flag Warning Day, they feel weather conditions will be so extremely critical for fire danger in Central Texas that extra precautions must be taken.
Digging deeper
The order prohibits the outdoor burning of all household waste, including yard waste such as leaves, grass and tree branches. The order also prohibits any burning to clear out trees, stumps and other natural vegetation. The ban also prohibits any smoking or vaping in public parks or on WilCo land. Violating the ban could result in a $1,000 fine or up to 180 days in jail, according to the county
The order will not apply to any public safety measures or outdoor construction.
The ban will be lifted at the discretion of the County Judge once the weather conditions have improved, according to the news release.
