The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a winter storm watch for most of the North Texas region. The watch goes into effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday and ends at 6 p.m. Thursday.
While officials aren’t expecting the weather to be as severe as last year’s winter storm, ice, sleet and the possibility of snow are expected to make travel especially difficult into the weekend. Dangerous wind chills of -5 degrees to 15 degrees Fahrenheit are expected Friday and Saturday, the weather service said.
Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday that 4,000 personnel with the Texas Department of Transportation are pretreating roads. In Dallas, crews will start sanding the roads Wednesday evening.
If you do have to travel during this week’s storm, here are some things to know and do in case of an emergency.
What to keep in your car
The American Red Cross and others say you should keep a few essentials in a winter weather kit inside your car. These items can help if you get stuck somewhere for extended periods of time or have mechanical problems with your car:
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Rain or snow clothing, including an extra set of dry pants, shirts, socks and jackets
- Non-perishable snacks that are high in energy, like nuts, fruit or protein bars
- Several bottles of water
- A portable cellphone charger
- An ice scraper or shovel
- Kitty litter or sand for use on tires if you get stuck in snow or slush
- A flashlight
- A first-aid kit
- Jumper cables
- Extra windshield or washer fluid with antifreeze components
- Sunglasses if you are driving during the day (the sun’s reflection on snow can be harsh)
- A brightly colored bandana, shirt or other piece of cloth. This can be tied on to your car’s antenna or mirror to signal to other cars that you need help.
- A gas can
If you get stuck on the road
Here are tips from the Red Cross if you become stranded on the road:
- Stay in your car. Don’t leave your car unless help is visible.
- Tie a brightly colored cloth onto your antenna or mirror to make yourself visible to other cars and to make it known you need help.
- Turn your car on every hour for 10 minutes, and use the car’s heater when you do so. This helps conserve fuel. Make sure there’s no snow inside the exhaust pipe.
- When the engine is on, leave the lights on in your car so you can be seen.
- Stay alert. Try occasional light exercises in your car, like clapping your hands and moving your legs around.
- If someone else is in the car, take turns sleeping if you need to rest.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Avoid overexertion, like shoveling snow or pushing a car. Wait for help if you aren’t able to get out on your own.
