DALLAS – After briefly ending the subfreezing streak, it remains bitterly cold this morning. Any lingering moisture has iced over, resulting in patches of black ice on exposed surfaces. Residents should exercise extra caution.
With melting adding moisture to the air and light winds on Tuesday night, there is a risk of fog as temperatures drop back below freezing. The risk is highest north and west of the Metroplex. Freezing fog is particularly dangerous, as it can create a thin layer of ice on any surface it touches. This may spread across North Texas after 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Neighborhood roads still messy as residents wary of driving
As North Texas drivers returned to the roads on Tuesday, plenty of videos across social media showed accidents caused by the ice.
FOX 4’s Steven Dial spoke with several Dallas residents who decided to avoid the roads thanks to the weather.
“I don’t trust myself. I am from Alabama, so I have to do on two feet,” Allie Ritchie told Dial on deciding to walk to a local Starbucks instead of drive. “I’ve fallen twice, actually.”
Michael Ward told FOX 4 why he decided to stay off the roads.
“We saw a van coming down Cedar Springs, and he lost control about right there. Spun out, hit the pole, the pole, the pole came down,” Ward went on. “He ended up right here and the transformer blew up. Boom! Sparks everywhere. I can’t believe he got out of the van. I wouldn’t have moved.”
Watch the video of that crash above.
The Johnson family was wary of the roads as they walked to Lower Greenville, but Anna Johnson was hopeful the roads would thaw for another reason.
“We are ready for school to start back,” Johnson said, laughing.
Her son disagreed, saying he wasn’t quite ready for school to return. He’s in luck, as many North Texas school districts announced they would be closed Wednesday due to the lingering ice.
Drivers face slippery conditions
Those who did venture out onto the roads Tuesday morning were greeted with slippery conditions.
FOX 4’s Alex Boyér talked to a driver who damaged his car when returning to work.
“I was trying to get to work, got on the little bridge ,it slid all the way down,” Jay Taylor told Boyér. “Messed up my tire and my wheel baring on my car, so I have to fix that.”
Taylor wasn’t alone in his trials and tribulations on roads still icy from the effects of the winter storm. One motorist said he’s already gotten stuck trying to drive this week.
“This little truck, the tailgate part is pretty light, so you’ve got to be cautious of the traction,” driver Stanley Reece told FOX 4. “This is not my first day out. Yesterday I went out and got stuck. “
Even 18-wheelers were having difficulty getting around. Boyér talked to a few who stopped at Fuel City in Dallas who’ve been helping TxDOT crews since before the winter storm.
“It’s the left lanes where there’s not a lot of traffic right now,” Henry Edwards said of the problem spots.
He said that just because it’s above freezing doesn’t mean the roads have improved.
“No don’t get on the roads cause it’s still bad. A couple of cars nearly hit me today,” Edwards continued.
“I feel like today is kind of more messy. It’s more water, it’s more ice. You don’t what you’re slipping into,” Evelyn Montoya, another truck driver, told Boyér. “The people think the sun is clearing it off but it’s really not. We’re out here just doing what we got to do.”
She was thankful for FOX 4 News for helping her maneuver through the weather.
“Literally, I’m always on FOX4 News. We work through the weather,” Montoya continued. “Unfortunately we’ve got to work this weather.”
Live Traffic Map
Road Conditions – Tuesday Morning, Jan. 25
12 p.m.: Dart and Trinity Metro service
A limited number of Dallas Area Rapid Transit buses are back on the roads today. Priority routes resumed service at 7 a.m. However, express services are still unavailable. While DART trains are also operating at all stations, officials warned passengers to expect some delays. DART hopes to return to full service as the weather improves.
Trinity Metro in Fort Worth also resumed some services. TEXRail began running hourly on Tuesday morning, with a goal of returning to the normal schedule by the afternoon. The Trinity Railway Express is operating as normal. TRE Link services began at noon running on the Saturday schedule. On-demand rideshare also began at noon, but on-demand paratransit is still only available for emergency trips. The Centreport Circulator is closed until Wednesday.
10:30 a.m.: DFW road conditions
The roads are still a little rough. According to FOX 4 traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, transition areas are the worst in this period of flux.
You have the highways and the toll roads that have been sanded and graded, but you also have on and off ramps and the secondary streets that remain untouched.
“It’s pretty dangerous and treacherous there. That’s why I think one more day of staying home is going to be worth your while,” he said.
As temperatures get above freezing on Tuesday afternoon, some of the ice should begin to melt.
8:50 a.m.: Road conditions around Fort Worth
8:40 a.m.: Trouble on I-30 continues
8:20 a.m.: Road conditions in Collin County
8 a.m.: Trouble on I-30
6:40 a.m.: Icy conditions
5:30 a.m.: I-35E at Hwy. 66
5:15 a.m.: Stay home if you can
Track Icy Road Conditions
If the roads are icy, the best thing you can do is stay home. If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.
If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.
When driving on icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others when stopping. Do not use cruise control during poor driving conditions and ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before you head out.
Safety officials tell Texans to be aware and approach bridges and overpasses slowly as ice can accumulate before drivers are able to see it on the roads. Drivers should also watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stoplight is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Safe driving protocols
What you can do:
Safety officials ask Texans to keep a well-stocked emergency kit with warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.
Here are some other tips to help you stay ahead of winter weather:
- Use an all-hazards weather radio for up-to-date warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information.
- Sign up for calls or texts from your local emergency notification system.
- Insulate outside faucets and pipes near outer walls.
- Make sure furnaces, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are clean, well-ventilated and in good working condition.
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls and combustible materials and make sure to turn them off when you’re away or sleeping. (Also ensure that space heaters cannot tip over and that the cord is not damaged)
- Check on friends and family members whose health or age may put them at greater risk.
- Stock up on firewood and supplies, including canned goods, bottled water and medication.
- Ensure your vehicle’s safety by making sure doors and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing. Also, check your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure and tire tread.
Texas DPS also recommends individuals to check their vehicle’s fluid levels and have a well-stocked emergency kit that includes warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.
Have a way to get updates
Watch live coverage on your phone
With severe winter weather on the way this weekend, you should have a way to get important updates if the power goes out.
The FOX LOCAL app will allow you to stay up to date with livestreams, the latest forecasts, news stories and weather alerts in real time, all from your mobile phone or tablet.
- Stay connected with FOX 4 News. For winter storm coverage — Download Now.
Get county emergency alerts
You can also sign up to get alerts sent to your phone from your county’s emergency office.
The Source: Information in this article comes from TxDOT, Traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, and previous FOX 4 coverage.
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