Mansfield prepares for bad weather

The Mansfield Activities Center will serve as a warming center as part of the city’s preparations for the winter storm that is expected to impact North Texas on Jan. 23-26.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region from 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, through noon Sunday, Jan. 25. The forecast includes extended days of below freezing weather, freezing rain, sleet and ice. The City of Mansfield is taking steps to prepare for the weather and encourages residents to be prepared and weather aware.

Mansfield Emergency Management recommends the following tips to prepare for the weather event:

Be weather aware: stay tuned to trusted weather sources

Install or test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries

Insulate any exposed exterior pipes

Inspect the fireplace and chimney

Check and replace weatherstripping around doors and windows

Have material handy to sand/de-ice driveway and front porch

Turn off sprinkler systems to prevent frozen overspray on roadways.

Dress in layers

Limit time outdoors

Open cabinet doors and allow faucets to drip to prevent freezing and breaking pipes

Heat safely

Keep space heaters away from flammable items

Never use grills or generators indoors

Practice the four P’s

People: Check on elderly family and neighbors that may need help

Pets: Keep cats and dogs out of the cold.

Plants: Cover your plants or bring them inside

Pipes: Cover and insulate pipes to prevent winter hazards

If you need to shut off your water, call our Water Utilities Emergency Line at 817-473-8411 to have a team member turn off your water at the meter.

Frontier Waste Services is monitoring the weather conditions for Friday and Monday’s regularly scheduled collection routes.

To assist in an effective collection, customers are encouraged to limit curbside pickup to trash and recycling and to save bulky items for another day. Bulky items may be left on the curb so crews can service all customers safely.

If the roads are too hazardous for collection, crews will run trash routes on the next service day of the week and recycle pick up the following week.

Customers are encouraged to download the Frontier Waste Services app on their smart device to get pickup notices directly from the company.

The Mansfield Activities Center, 106 S. Wisteria St., will serve as a warming center during extended business hours. This space is provided for people to find reprieve from the elements and get warm in the heated lobby.

The hours of operation for the warming center are:

Friday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 26, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The center is unable to remain open overnight because it does not have the facilities and capabilities required for an overnight stay as outlined by state and federal policies.

The City of Mansfield will remain active during the weather event.

Emergency Management personnel are monitoring the storm and coordinating the city’s response.

Street Dept. teams are prepping trucks and crews to sand icy roadways, especially on bridges and overpasses.

Water teams are preparing crews and equipment to respond to water emergencies.