TEXAS ICE STORM PREP GUIDE (NOAA / NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)

TEXAS ICE STORM PREP GUIDE (NOAA / NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)

As of January 20, 2026, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) office in Fort Worth/Dallas is warning of “impactful winter weather” across North and Central Texas, including the risk of freezing rain/ice plus sleet/snow, dangerous cold, travel impacts, power outages, and pipe damage. A Winter Storm Watch was issued for North and Central Texas beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through late Saturday night, and NWS messaging emphasizes planning ahead for travel and power impacts and monitoring updates as the forecast evolves. (National Weather Service)

1. Stay informed the NOAA/NWS way (do this first)
   Use official NWS forecast updates and alerts for your exact location (Texas impacts can vary block-by-block with ice). If you have one, keep a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio available for outages and fast-changing alerts. (National Weather Service)

Also know what an alert means:

• “Winter Storm Watch” = conditions are possible; prepare now and expect updates.
• “Winter Storm Warning” / “Ice Storm Warning” = conditions are expected and can be high impact; avoid travel when possible and follow local instructions. (National Weather Service)

2. Before the storm: the home checklist NWS emphasizes
   NWS preparedness guidance focuses on being ready for loss of heat/power and limited travel. Build a minimum 3-day plan (longer if you can), including:

• Light: flashlights and extra batteries (avoid candles when possible).
• Information: battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio.
• Food/water: non-perishable foods that don’t require cooking; drinking water.
• Medical: extra prescription medicine; and if you have infants, diapers/formula and any special medical needs.
• Safety: first aid supplies; working smoke alarms; a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector; and safe backup heat practices. (National Weather Service)

NWS Texas offices frequently summarize winter preparedness as protecting the “Four P’s”: People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes. (National Weather Service)

Protect your pipes now (important in Texas)
NWS Fort Worth highlights pipe damage risk during multi-day freezes and recommends practical steps before temperatures drop:

• Cover exterior faucets.
• Open cabinets under sinks (especially on exterior walls).
• Drip indoor faucets.
• Locate your water shut-off valve and know how to turn it off.
• Turn off sprinklers (they can create dangerous icy surfaces). (National Weather Service)

3. Medications (adults + kids): what to have on hand
   NWS winter storm guidance explicitly calls out having extra prescription medicine before the storm, and Texas NWS preparedness lists include prescription medicines as core supplies. (National Weather Service)

Practical, high-value steps:

• Refill early if possible: aim for at least several days beyond the storm window.
• Keep medicines in a waterproof container/bag; keep a written list of names, doses, and prescribing doctors.
• If any medication must stay cold (example: some insulins), plan for a cooler/ice packs if power is interrupted and follow the medication label instructions.
• Include children’s needs: fever reducers (correct dosing device), inhalers/nebulizer supplies, EpiPens, seizure rescue meds, and any daily prescriptions.

If anyone relies on powered medical equipment (oxygen concentrator, CPAP, feeding pump), make a backup power plan before the weather arrives (battery/alternate location/warming center).

4. Generator readiness (and the safety rules that matter most)
   NWS warns that generators can kill through carbon monoxide poisoning and can also create electrocution/fire hazards if used incorrectly. Core NWS points:

• Only operate portable generators outdoors, in a dry, well-ventilated area (never in a house, shed, or garage—even with doors open).
• Inspect and maintain the generator; keep fresh fuel; run it periodically so it’s ready when needed.
• If connecting to your home electrical system, have a qualified electrician install a manual power transfer system (prevents back feeding the grid and energizing lines that should be dead).
• Never store gasoline in your home; store fuel safely outside living areas in proper containers. (National Weather Service)

A practical “ready-to-run” generator checklist:

• Do a test run now (10–15 minutes) and confirm it starts smoothly.
• Check oil level and recommended oil type; stage spare oil and a funnel.
• Confirm you have heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords sized for the load.
• Decide your “critical loads” ahead of time (refrigerator, a few lights, device chargers, a space heater only if the heater is rated and you understand the wattage draw—many are too large for smaller generators).
• Place the generator so exhaust cannot drift into doors/windows; keep a CO detector working in the home. (National Weather Service)

5. Driving and road safety during freezing rain / ice
   If you can avoid driving, do. NWS watch language for Texas explicitly warns that roads (especially bridges/overpasses) are likely to become dangerous, and that travel may need to be delayed or altered. (National Weather Service)

If you must drive, NWS winter driving guidance focuses on three ideas: slow down, increase following distance, and avoid “surprise ice,” especially when temperatures hover near freezing.
Key NWS points:

• Bridges freeze first; slow down before you reach bridges because changing speed on ice is dangerous. (National Weather Service)
• Near-freezing rain can turn roads slick quickly; slow down, don’t use cruise control, and keep plenty of distance. (National Weather Service)
• Freezing rain is often more hazardous than snow for traction; use extreme caution if there is (or recently was) freezing rain, and watch for falling branches/power lines. (National Weather Service)
• Before leaving, check conditions, keep your gas tank near full, and consider calling 511 for road and traffic conditions (NWS notes this DOT service is available in every state). (National Weather Service)

If you skid (NWS guidance)
Remain calm, ease off the gas, and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go; if you have ABS, apply steady brake pressure (don’t pump ABS brakes). (National Weather Service)

If you get stranded (NWS guidance)

• Stay in the vehicle (leaving can lead to disorientation in wind/cold).
• Run the engine about 10 minutes each hour for heat.
• Open a window a little while the engine runs for fresh air, and keep the exhaust pipe clear to reduce CO risk.
• Make your vehicle visible (dome light at night, bright cloth on antenna/door, raise hood after precip ends). (National Weather Service)

6. What people experiencing homelessness should do
   The main goal is to get indoors before roads ice over and temperatures drop. In Texas, the best “first move” is usually connecting to local shelter/warming center information and transportation options early (not at the peak of the storm).

Concrete options in Texas:

• Call 2-1-1 Texas (or 877-541-7905) to get connected to local resources (shelter, warming centers, transportation help, emergency services referrals). It’s run through Texas Health and Human Services and operates 24/7. (211 Texas)
• Check the Texas Division of Emergency Management warming center information page (often used to publish statewide warming center details during major events). (Texas Division of Emergency Management)
• If a Red Cross shelter is operating in your area, use their shelter finder resources. (American Red Cross)

Practical survival guidance if someone is outside and cannot immediately get indoors:

• Stay dry and layer clothing; wet clothing accelerates heat loss.
• Prioritize wind protection (wind chill can make near-freezing conditions dangerous).
• If signs of hypothermia appear (confusion, extreme drowsiness, uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech), seek emergency help; CDC guidance emphasizes moving the person into a warm room/shelter and removing wet clothing, and it specifically advises against alcohol. (CDC)

7. What older adults should do (and what families/caregivers should do)
   Older adults are more susceptible to cold-related health problems. CDC guidance for winter weather safety specifically recommends that people 65+ keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside the home and check the indoor temperature often because the ability to feel temperature changes decreases with age. (CDC)

Extra actions for elderly households:

• Ensure safe, reliable heat (and never substitute unsafe heat sources that create CO risk).
• Reduce fall risk: keep walkways clear, avoid rushing outside, use proper footwear indoors, and keep a flashlight nearby for night movement during outages.
• Set a check-in plan: at least 2 scheduled calls/texts per day with a friend/family member during the storm window.
• Plan around medication needs: keep critical prescriptions accessible, and keep pharmacy contact info written down.
• Be aware that some medicines/health conditions can reduce resistance to hypothermia; take cold exposure seriously even if it doesn’t seem “that cold” by northern standards. (National Weather Service)

8. A short “printable” quick list
   Today / before temperatures drop:

• Monitor NWS alerts for your location; keep NOAA Weather Radio ready. (National Weather Service)
• Stock at least 3 days of food/water and key supplies, including extra prescriptions and baby needs. (National Weather Service)
• Protect pipes (cover, drip, open cabinets, know shutoff; turn off sprinklers). (National Weather Service)
• Test smoke/CO alarms and plan safe heating. (National Weather Service)
• Prep generator safely: test run, fresh fuel stored safely, outdoor-only operation, transfer switch if home-connected. (National Weather Service)
• Avoid travel if possible; if you must drive, slow down and don’t use cruise control on near-freezing wet roads; expect bridges/overpasses to ice first. (National Weather Service)
• For homelessness or urgent shelter needs: call 2-1-1 Texas / 877-541-7905 and check warming center resources early. (211 Texas)