San Antonio-area school district closures add to arctic blast preparations

“Based on the projection of continuous rain and dropping temperatures throughout the evening and day, we cannot guarantee safe travel conditions for our families,” AFIA officials said in a statement.

Additionally, Cornerstone Christian Schools and San Antonio Christian School each said they will have no classes Feb. 3. Pre-K4SA program sites will also be closed Feb. 3, city of San Antonio officials said.

Elsewhere, the city of San Antonio and Bexar County are ramping up their wintry weather preparations.

According to a city news release, San Antonio’s police and public works departments are prepared to activate the city’s ice plan in coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation if precipitation occurs.

Public works has crews on call should traffic equipment malfunctions or fallen trees occur because of the expected wind conditions, the release said.

Additionally, TxDOT crews will continue to pretreat the roadways, direct connectors and highways through the day, the release said.

The city will have four public warming centers open from 7 a.m. Feb. 3 through noon Feb. 4. The shelters will have COVID-19 safety protocols and will welcome pets, the release said. Local officials said anyone coming to the warming center should bring clothes, supplies and medicines, and that anyone needing transportation may contact 311 to get a free ride to a shelter.

The city warming centers include the following:

• Garza Community Center, 1450 Mira Vista, San Antonio
• Harlandale Community Center, 7227 Briar Place, San Antonio
• Hamilton Community Center, 10700 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio
• Denver Heights Community Center, 300 Porter St., San Antonio

Bexar County has also opened the following warming centers that will stay open until at least noon Feb. 5.

• Emergency Services District No. 2, 2096 Talley Road, San Antonio
• ESD No. 3, 23103 Bulverde Road, San Antonio
• ESD No. 8, 20825 Babcock Road, San Antonio
• China Grove City Office, 2456 FM 1516 S., China Grove
• Leon Valley Convention Center, 6427 Evers Road, Leon Valley
• Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, 9810 Southton Road, San Antonio

In the city release, CPS Energy said it does not anticipate state-mandated power outages, but is encouraging customers to practice energy conservation to help save money.

The release also said CPS Energy emailed and texted a message to customers on Feb. 2, and that customers are encouraged to sign up for energy alerts at www.cpsenergy.com/en/customer-support/outage-center/energy-alerts.html or call 210-353-2222 to provide their emergency contact information.

According to the city release, 311 has extended their customer service hours through midnight Feb. 2, and the service will be open on Feb. 3 from 6 a.m. to midnight and open at 6 a.m. on Feb. 4.

VIA Metropolitan Transit said its offices and transit centers will remain open for regular business hours and bus, VIAtrans and VIA Link services “will continue to operate as long as it is safe to do so,” the city release said.

City officials also encouraged pet owners to ensure their pets are kept indoors throughout the winter storm, adding that San Antonio Animal Care Officers will be on patrol through the rest of the week addressing potential violations. Residents may report possible animal ordinance violations via 311.