Dallas preparing to resume normal operations Feb. 3

Dallas officials said the city is preparing to resume normal operations Feb. 3 as extreme winter weather in the city begins to subside.

Public Works Director Ali Hatefi said street conditions were improving “very significantly” at a press conference Feb. 2 in the afternoon. The department plans to continue monitoring road conditions throughout the night. Drivers who experience an emergency because of the weather should call the service request line at 311, Hatefi said.

“We’re happy that we’re seeing improvement, and we should be out of this tomorrow, hopefully,” Hatefi said.

Christine Crossley, director of the Office of Homeless Solutions, said she anticipates Feb. 2 will be the last night that the city offers its five emergency shelter locations at the Austin Street Center, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, Warren United Methodist Church, J. Erik Jonsson Central Library and Reverchon Recreation Center. All of the five locations were at or near their capacity levels on Feb. 2, Crossley said.

All Dallas recreation centers, except for Reverchon, will resume normal operations Feb. 3 unless otherwise announced, Park and Recreation Superintendent Steve Baker said. All Dallas Public Library branches will operate on a delayed schedule Feb. 3 and open at noon, Director Joe Giudice said.

Travis Houston, assistant coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management, noted during the press conference Dallas’ response to inclement weather this week went “smoother” than previous years. He said the city has learned from and adjusted its response to previous years.

“A lot of those investments have been made, and I think you see a clear result,” Houston said.

Dallas will dip below freezing temperatures with a low of about 28 degrees Fahrenheit and cloudy conditions during the night Feb. 2, according to the National Weather Service. Residents can expect it to be sunny with a high of 44 degrees Feb. 3.