New Braunfels braces for the arctic blast

The city of New Braunfels is preparing for the significant arctic blast expected to move through the area Dec. 22. The National Weather Service is forecasting a strong cold front will move through the region and bring the most frigid temperatures South Central Texas has experienced so far this winter season.

Temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees on the night of Dec. 22 and the morning of Dec. 23 with wind chills ranging from -10 to 10 degrees. The cold is anticipated to continue through the end of the week but should slowly start to warm up by Christmas Day. Both a hard freeze watch and a wind chill watch have been forecasted for the area by the National Weather Service.

In preparation for this cold weather event, the city of New Braunfels has developed a plan to provide necessary services, including the opening of a warming center should it be necessary. The American Red Cross, Gruene United Methodist Church and the city’s Community Emergency Response Team will provide volunteers and assistance. The city has prepared equipment and supplies to stand up the operation. Should it become necessary, the opening of a warming center will be announced on the city’s website and social media channels, according to the city.

The New Braunfels Housing Partners First Footing program is offering cold-weather shelter at the Edelweiss Inn for individuals without shelter. The shelter is available on nights with temperatures below 45 degrees; those interested can call 830-327-5292.

The city’s public works crews are on standby and prepared to treat roads for icy conditions if necessary, although rain is not forecasted. A road closure map will be available at http://newbraunfels.gov/roadclosures should the weather prompt any road closures, according to the city.

Residents can prepare for the cold weather by remembering to keep warm, dress in layers and check on their neighbors. Pets should be kept inside to keep them safe, and potted plants can be brought inside or covered with sheets or towels to prevent frost damage. Outdoor pipes can be covered, and indoor faucets should be left to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing.

New Braunfels residents can also prepare for the cold weather by knowing where their main water shutoff valve is located in case of a leak. Instructions on steps to take if a leak is suspected can be found at nbutexas.com/winter-freeze-tips.

Extreme weather conditions may cause electrical and water outages. New Braunfels Utilities’ outage maps and electric outage notification systems can be found at https://nbutexas.com/report-an-outage.

A comprehensive list of conservation resources can be found at https://nbutexas.com/conservation.