North Texas winter storm warning causes office, service, business closings, cancellations
North Texas first responders, law enforcement and state officials are urging residents to stay off the roads as a winter storm brings temperatures in the 20s, a harsh windchill and chances for freezing rain and sleet.
But for those who have to travel during the winter storm warning, issued for Wednesday and Thursday, this list will be updated with which government offices, services and businesses around the Dallas-Fort Worth region are closed due to weather and road conditions.
Meals On Wheels of Tarrant County
The mobile food bank announced it would not be delivering any meals Wednesday or Thursday.
“Because the nutritional health of our clients is always top of mind, we have already delivered shelf-stable emergency meals for our clients to have on hand for just such an occasion,” the food bank said in a news release. “We will continue to monitor the weather and will reopen as soon as volunteers are able to safely deliver meals. Please stay safe and warm, and be sure to check on your elderly friends and neighbors.”
Texas Department of Public Safety offices
The state’s Department of Public Safety said its North Texas offices in Grayson, Cooke and Wise counties will be closed Wednesday.
“All customers with existing appointments at driver license offices will be notified directly about changes and/or the cancellation of their appointment due to the inclement weather,” the state department wrote in a tweet.
City of Arlington
City facilities will have a delayed opening Thursday, unlocking their doors at 10 a.m., according to a city news release.
Via, the city’s rideshare-based public transportation, suspended service late Wednesday and plans to continue suspension through Thursday. Handitran will also not be operating Thursday. All essential services, including 911, will continue normal operations.
Arlington rescheduled its District 4 and District 5 town hall meetings that were scheduled to meet Wednesday.
Both town hall meetings, which were expected to discuss “the future of citywide trash collection” will be scheduled for the first week of March. The District 5 meeting is scheduled for March 2 at 6 p.m. and the District 4 meeting is scheduled for March 3 at 6 p.m., the city said.
Arlington’s trash pickup services scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday are canceled. The city’s landfill will also reopen Friday.
DART
For the safety of both passengers and employees during the winter weather advisory, Dallas Area Rapid Transit is implementing Operating Scenario 2 of its Severe Winter Weather Operating Plans. DART rail operations will be suspended through Thursday. More information at http://dart.org/winterweather
Heim Barbecue
The BBQ spot, with locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, said it will be closing its restaurants at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
“Worried about our night crew driving in bad weather and want to make sure morning crew can get out early,” the restaurants’ Twitter said.
City of Forest Hill
Forest Hill’s city hall will be closed Thursday due to inclement weather, the city told the Star-Telegram Wednesday.
City of Keller operations
Keller announced, similar to Arlington, that it would cancel its residential and commercial garbage pickups on Thursday.
“Conditions allowing, they hope to shift Thursday customers’ service to Friday, and Friday to Saturday. So stay tuned,” the city said in a tweet.
The Keller Public Library is expected to close early at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and has not confirmed whether it will reopen for Thursday.
Fort Worth Zoo
The Fort Worth Zoo is closing early Wednesday, the zoo announced around 1 p.m.
“We’ll keep you updated on our reopening, but for now - stay warm and cozy!” a tweet read.
North Richland Hills trash pickup
Wednesday afternoon, the City of North Richland Hills joined Arlington and Keller in suspending Thursday trash pickups.
“Residential service will resume on your next regular collection day,” the city said. “A decision about Friday collections will be made [Thursday].”
Tarrant County early voting locations
The Tarrant County Elections Administration Department said its voting locations throughout the county will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the department didn’t announce whether early voting sites will remain closed Thursday, but said an update would be provided by Thursday morning.
Dallas County offices and courts
Judge Clay Jenkins tweeted that all Dallas County offices, and its courts, will be closed “for in-person operations” Thursday.
“If you have a jury summons for Feb. 24 or are currently part of a jury trial, you do not need to report,” Jenkins said.
City of Fort Worth trash pickup
The City of Fort Worth, around 2:30 p.m., tweeted that it was “suspend[ing] residential waste collections due to worsening road conditions.”
“Those w/ missed collections will be allowed to set-out extra bags next week, picked up by a separate truck,” the tweet read. “Solid waste services continue to monitor weather conditions.”
City of Carrollton facilities
The City of Carrollton is closing all its in-person business at 6 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday.
“This will include City Hall, Municipal Court, Animal Services and Adoption Center, both Recreation Centers, the Senior Center, both branches of the Carrollton Public Library, the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum, Oak Creek Tennis Center and Indian Creek Golf Club,” the city said in a news release.
Virtual services remain available.
Carrollton also will suspend its trash and recycling pickups Thursday and will close its landfill until Friday morning.
“Residents regularly scheduled for Thursday, February 24 collection will be picked up on Friday, February 25, and routes regularly scheduled for Friday will be collected on Saturday, February 26,” the city added. “Conditions will be monitored and updates made if necessary.”
City of Plano facilities
The City of Plano is closing all its recreation facilities, the public library and the animal shelter by 3 p.m. Wednesday. The city said it would announce, at 5 p.m., whether the closures would continue into Thursday.
All trash routes scheduled for Wednesday are expected to continue as scheduled. Recycling will be collected Friday.
The city’s Town Hall meeting, which was scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed until March 17.
Plano’s municipal court dockets for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday will be rescheduled.
“The appearance date of anyone receiving a citation or summons that is due Thursday or Friday will be extended until Friday, March 4, 2022,” the city said in a news release. “A decision on whether or not to hold court on Friday will be made [Thursday].”
For residents who pay for their water and utilities in person, the city’s window will close at 3 p.m.
“Payments, including cash, can be placed in the drop box on the east side of the building,” the news release said. “Visit a Fidelity Express location to pay with cash. Payments, inquiries and other in person assistance can be handled by phone at 972-941-7105.”
Kaufman County offices
All Kaufman County offices and early voting locations closed at noon Wednesday.
The county did not provide updates to whether the closures will extend into Thursday.
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
The museum closed at 3 p.m. Wednesday and will remain closed Thursday, it announced Wednesday afternoon.
City of Weatherford offices
The City of Weatherford’s offices will have a delayed open at 9 a.m., the city’s police department said.
“Emergency services will remain unaffected by the closure,” police said. “Sanitation services will not run [Thursday] due to the landfill being closed as well.”
This story was originally published February 23, 2022 at 10:27 AM.
