Prepare for the worst, say Fort Worth leaders ahead of winter storm
Ahead of this weekend’s expected ice storm, Fort Worth officials are urging residents to stay home while reiterating that the city is ready for the worst.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Mayor Mattie Parker said, “We are prepared,” and Sonny Saxton, Fort Worth’s director of emergency management and communications, said city departments have been planning for a winter weather event for months.
Still, Saxton warned this one could be bad. He said residents should prepare for three to four days of possible ice, sleet and below-freezing temperatures. Saxton asked people to restrict their travel beginning Friday afternoon and to try not to leave their homes this weekend unless absolutely necessary.
Fort Worth roads and highways
Crews began performing deicing operations throughout Fort Worth on Wednesday, but that was primarily done near hospitals, on bridges and along high-traffic thoroughfares, so there’s still a good chance of encountering icy roads on Saturday, Sunday and beyond.
Texas Department of Transportation spokespeople Shawna Russell and Val Lopez said crews have likewise been treating highways, primarily with a brine mixture, but they also have salt-based deicer, chemical deicer and sand-based deicer if conditions require something else. Lopez said the rain that is forecasted for Friday won’t negatively affect brine that has already been applied to roadways.
As an added precaution, TEXpress toll lanes in North Texas will close at 1 p.m. Friday.
For people who do have to venture out on the roads and highways, Saxton asked that they exercise additional caution and drive slower than normal.
Not only are vehicle accidents dangerous to the individuals involved, they can also lead to power outages if utility poles or transformers are hit.
Potential for power outages in Fort Worth
As far as power outages are concerned, Kerri Dunn, an Oncor spokesperson, said the company has invested in removing vegetation from around above-ground power lines to reduce the odds of them breaking during an ice storm. Still, Dunn said ice is a concern, and living in an area with underground power lines doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t experience a service disruption.
Dunn said the Texas power grid appears ready to handle the increased load this weekend as people turn up their thermostats. ERCOT, the grid operator, issued a “weather watch” which said “grid conditions are expected to be normal.”
To respond to localized outages, Dunn said Oncor has “all hands on deck across our service area,” and out-of-state repair crews could be brought in if needed.
Even with those assurances, Saxton said it’s a good idea to charge mobile devices ahead of time and get blankets, flashlights, candles and other supplies ready.
Fort Worth water service
Fort Worth Water Director Chris Harder said pump systems at city water treatment plants have been enclosed since the 2021 winter storm that knocked out water service to many residents. Backup generators have also been installed at the West Side Water Treatment Plant to keep it running in case of a power outage, and the Rolling Hills Water Treatment plant gets power directly from high voltage lines as opposed to distribution lines, so it should be fine.
Additional generators are on order for the city’s other treatment plants, but those have been delayed, according to Water department spokesperson Mary Gugliuzza.
Harder, though, didn’t seem to think a power outage would lead to loss of water service when asked about that Thursday.
The city has also been replacing some of the old cast iron water mains — the type that burst during the 2021 winter storm. But that work is not anywhere near completion. There are still hundreds of miles of cast iron pipe under Fort Worth, and Gugliuzza estimated it will take decades to replace them all.
Fort Worth police and fire
Executive Assistant Police Chief David Carabajal said the department is ready with enough officers on the schedule and on standby to handle an increase in incidents. He said communication would be key and that officers would be monitoring areas of concern, like highway overpasses, where vehicle collisions are most likely to occur.
Interim Fire Chief Raymond Hill talked about the increased risks that arise amid freezing temperatures. He cautioned people against using things like gas generators and propane heaters indoors because that can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Additionally, Hill reminded people to keep an eye on candles and open fire sources in their homes.
Fort Worth garbage collection, animal shelters, community centers
Cody Whittenburg, director of Fort Worth Environmental Services, said there are no planned disruptions to residential garbage pickup.
Garbage drop-off locations, however, are likely to be closed, as will city animal shelters, though nothing had been finalized as of Thursday afternoon.
Though animal shelters will be closed, residents are asked to contact the city call center at 817-392-1234 if you see animals out in the cold.
Fort Worth community centers will close Friday evening at 6 p.m. and remain closed through the weekend.
Fort Worth warming shelters
Overnight warming shelters for homeless individuals are operating at Union Gospel Mission, 1321 E. Lancaster Ave., and Presbyterian Night Shelter, 2400 Cypress St., and families are encouraged to go to the Salvation Army Mabee Center, 1855 E. Lancaster Ave.
Additional overflow warming shelters will open as needed, and in the event of widespread power outages, the city will open community centers to provide warmth, though these won’t be equipped with beds.
Bethany Warner, assistant to the city manager, said members of the police and fire department homeless outreach teams are spreading the word about the warming shelters and providing bus passes to those who need transportation.
Warner added that the Point-in-Time Count, an annual nationwide count of homeless individuals, occurs Thursday night in Fort Worth. Volunteers participating in that will also direct people to the warming shelters.
Warner said signs about the warming shelters are posted along the East Lancaster Avenue corridor, an area with a large homeless population. On Thursday afternoon, a digital sign was posted on East Lancaster under the Interstate 35 overpass telling people to seek shelter.
Trinity Metro service updates
Reed Lanham, chief operating officer for Trinity Metro, said there would be no scheduled service reductions for the city’s train and bus lines, but conditions could cause temporary suspensions of service. Lanham said those would be communicated online and via Trinity Metro’s GoPass app.
Be smart and courteous
The other big message from Thursday’s press conference was a reminder to be smart and courteous over the next few days. Saxton asked residents to check on their neighbors, especially those who are elderly, and to call 9-1-1 if you see anyone who appears to be in danger.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 5:34 PM.