TYLER COUNTY – Millions of Americans have been waking up this week to colder-than-normal temperatures, and even subfreezing temps in some states.
A weather pattern has emerged, over the weekend, that will, as the National Weather Service (NWS) models predicted, keep arctic air in place across the eastern half of the United States until the end of January.
The temperatures have been dipping into the 20s in Tyler County, and the Deep East Texas region, which meteorologists have said will likely provide some impacts to travel, particularly on elevated roads and bridges.
In response to the cold weather, the Tyler County Emergency Management office opened a warming center in Woodville, located at the agency’s post, at 201 Veterans Way. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Friday, Jan. 6.
According to Emergency Management Coordinator John Settlocker, the center will allow those affected by the chilly temps to come in, stay warm and to charge electronic devices. Anyone taking advantage of the warming center can also get a meal at the Nutrition Center, located in the building, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
NWS issued winter storm watches, with a threat of snow, sleet and freezing rain in the northern parts of the state, as well as in southeast Oklahoma, Arkansas and northern Louisiana, with a prediction that the storm will begin arriving either Wednesday night or on Thursday.
The threat of snow, sleet and freezing rain is predicted in those areas, while in Deep East Texas, the impacts should be limited to chilly temperatures and elevated chances for rain Thursday and Friday.
On Monday, with most of the state facing some degree of effects from the weather, Gov. Greg Abbott activated state emergency response resources.
“The state of Texas is working around the clock to ensure Texans have the resources and support needed as severe winter weather impacts communities,” he said.
Abbott encouraged Texans to keep abreast of conditions on roadways with the DriveTexas.org website and app, prior to travelling.
The Texas Department of Transportation personnel began prepping roadways last week, by pre-treating roads, bridges and overpasses with more than 500,000 gallons of brine and approximately 800 cubic yards of granular material, according to a news release.
Although Tyler Countians will be spared the worst of the winter storm weather this week, with the still chilly temperatures, residents need to focus on the four Ps: people, pets, pipes and plants, according to emergency management personnel.
Those four Ps need to be protected from the cold air and potential freezing precipitation, and residents also need to be mindful of heating their homes safely.
According to the American Red Cross, housefires are more common during the cold winter months as people are attempting to heat their homes, many times with space heaters, which are a common cause of fires.
The Red Cross recommends placing space heaters on a hard, level surface and plugging them directly into wall outlets and not extension cords. They also should be at least three feet away from furniture, curtains and any other objects that could be combustible.
