The city of New Braunfels is warning residents to be ready for winter weather, as forecasters with the National Weather Service predict freezing temperatures this weekend, according to a news release from the city.
What to expect
Temperatures are expected to fall into the teens and twenties, with wind chills dipping into the single digits. There is also a chance for light precipitation, which could result in ice accumulation on roads, bridges and other elevated surfaces, according to the NWS.
The city will continue to monitor weather conditions and make additional decisions as needed. City public works crews have already begun preparing local roads and bridges by applying liquid de-icing agents, with sand and salt on standby. The Texas Department of Transportation is making similar preparations for I-35 and other major highways, the release states.
TxDOT crews began treating roads early in the week to prevent ice from accumulating, with falling temperatures and wintry precipitation—including sleet and freezing rain—expected in parts of the state Jan. 23 through the weekend. TxDOT will be at “peak operations” in the coming days, with approximately 5,000 personnel operating hundreds of vehicles and equipment across Texas, as previously reported by Community Impact.
If road closures become necessary, residents can find updated local road closure information on the city’s website. Officials advise drivers to avoid travel if icy conditions develop, according to the release.
New Braunfels police, fire, EMS, public works and solid waste services will continue operating as normal. As of press time, there are no changes to residential or commercial garbage and recycling pickup schedules. If changes become necessary, updates will be posted on the city’s website and social media platforms.
Public restrooms, water fountains and other facilities in all city parks have been winterized and will be closed Friday through Monday and will remain closed until freezing temperatures subside, the release states.
Most city facilities will remain open with normal hours of operation throughout the weekend, including:
Staying prepared
The city will have four warming centers across the city and extraterritorial jurisdiction, the release states.
Westside Community Center
- 2932 S. I-35 frontage road
- Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 830-221-4630
Crisis Center of Comal County
- 655 Landa St.
- Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- 830-620-7520
Gruene United Methodist Church
- 2629 E. Common St.
- Saturday, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- 830-625-7200
NB Housing Partners - First Footing Shelter
- 4120 Loop 337
- Friday to Tuesday, 5 p.m.-7:30 a.m.
- 830-272-5020 ext. 1
The NWS also warns residents in affected areas of Texas to be prepared for inclement weather and the potential closure of roads and resources, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
Residents should be prepared in their homes with:
- Flashlights, extra batteries
- Battery-powered portable radios to receive emergency information
- Extra water and food that does not require cooking or refrigeration, such as dried fruit, nuts and granola bars
- First-aid supplies
- Extra prescription medication
- Baby items
- Fuel needed for heating sources
- Emergency heat source—fireplace, wood stove or space heater—properly ventilated to prevent a fire
- Up-to-date fire extinguisher and smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors with new batteries
- Extra pet food and warm shelter for pets
Residents should also have the following items prepared in their cars:
- Cell phone charger
- First-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Spare tires
- Flares
- Full tank of gas
- Water and non-perishable snacks
- Flashlight
- Sand or kitty litter
- Tow rope
- Blankets and extra layers of warm clothing
- Snow shovel and brush
One more thing
The winter storm has also prompted questions about the resiliency of the Energy Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, grid, which failed in February 2021, cutting power for millions of Texans and resulting in nearly 250 deaths during prolonged power outages across the state, Community Impact reported.
ERCOT officials said the grid is stronger than ever, after efforts over the last five years to strengthen and "weatherize” the power grid, adding tens of thousands of megawatts of capacity, as previously reported by Community Impact.
