TYLER COUNTY – The ice storm warning for winter storm Fern is in effect for the region, starting at 6 p.m. today, Saturday, Jan. 24, and remains in effect until 6 p.m. tomorrow.
A countywide declaration of disaster was issued, citing a potential imminent threat of widespread and/or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from severe weather conditions predicted by the National Weather Service. The declaration, issued by Tyler County Judge Milton Powers, took effect immediately after its issuance on Friday.
An estimated 230 million people, nationwide, are expected to be affected by the storm in some way. The cause, according to climate scientists, is from a mass of frigid air from the Arctic zone hitting the warmer, more moist air in the United States. Colder Arctic air is, according to reports, usually confined to the far northern latitudes by the polar vortex, which is a vast circular ribbon of wind.
When that polar vortex is weakened, or expands, the freezing Arctic air can move southward. The National Weather Service office out of Lake Charles has updated that the prediction for below freezing or near-freezing temps, will last for 36 to 48 hours for the region. NWS urges everyone to continue to monitor the forecast closely.
Schools cancelled Monday
All Tyler County schools have announced cancellations for Monday, Jan. 26, with Chester, Woodville, Warren, Colmesneil and Spurger ISD all announcing that they are monitoring conditions for Tuesday, and urging parents to keep abreast of their social media channels for further announcements.
Storm shelters in Tyler County:
Woodville – The Tyler County Emergency Management command center is open as a warming shelter. It is located at 201 Veterans Way in Woodville.
Colmesneil – The R.B. Moffett Gymnasium, located on the campus of Colmesneil ISD, at 409 Hickory Street, is open as a shelter.
These shelters are open from 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, and will remain open into Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as needed. Animals are not allowed within the shelters.
