An artic blast is anticipated this week producing very cold and potentially icy weather. A winter storm watch is in effect from Wednesday evening to noon on New Year’s Day which may impact New Year’s Eve plans. The City of Kerrville is monitoring the weather and road conditions, and crews are taking necessary action for icing conditions. Please stay safe when traveling and remember that bridges, overpasses, stairs, driveways, and sidewalks can become icy, slippery, and dangerous. In the event of icy roads, motorists are encouraged to stay home if possible. If you must be out, motorists are urged to use caution and allow extra travel time. Black ice is almost invisible on the roadways and slick spots can form anywhere. Motorists with concerns about road conditions or to report hazardous areas should contact the Kerrville Police Department at (830) 257-8181. For those traveling on major highways, current TxDOT highway conditions can be obtained by calling 1-800-452-9292 or available via twitter at https://twitter.com/txdotsanantonio.
New Year’s Eve
As the clock runs down for 2014, many people will be celebrating, reflecting back on the last 365 days, making resolutions and merrily bringing in the New Year. Please be especially careful if traveling on New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day. Monitor the weather when making plans and before driving. Unfortunately, these are some of the highest percentage of days associated with accidents due to drinking and driving. On New Year’s Eve, everyone wants to have an unforgettable night, but in a good way. If you are out drinking, do not drive. Designate a sober driver, call a cab, stay at a nearby hotel within walking distance, or make other arrangements to get home safely. Remember that fireworks are not allowed inside the Kerrville city limits. Municipal offices will be closed on New Year’s Day and the City of Kerrville wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and safe New Year’s Holiday.
4 P’s – People, pipes, plants and pets
With the arrival of cold temperatures, don’t forget to prepare your home for the winter weather. When preparing for the cold weather, remember to protect the 4 P’s – people, pipes, plants, and pets. We all know that Texas weather can be somewhat unpredictable varying between warm and cold, often within the same week. Nonetheless, here are some helpful tips to keep your P’s warm and protected.
Protect People
Keep warm and stay inside if possible on very cold days. If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves, and an appropriate coat. The elderly and very young are more susceptible to cold weather. Check on family and loved ones if they live alone.
Protect your Pipes
To protect your pipes, let indoor faucets drip and disconnect garden hoses. Drain water sprinkler supply lines and hoses. Wrap or cover faucets or hose bibs with an insulating material. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to the pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
Protect your Plants
Bring potted plants inside or store in a garage to provide protection and warmth. Cover outdoor plants with a frost cloth, sheet or other material that allows the plants to breathe. Spreading two to three inches of mulch can help protect roots of plants and trees. Be sure to water your plants as the water in the ground keeps the roots from getting frost damage.
Take a look at the trees in your yard and trim any weak branches that could potentially break causing damage to people, power lines, homes or vehicles.
Protect your Pets
Bring pets indoors or to a warm enclosure out of the elements. For larger animals, provide proper shelter, blankets and extra straw to keep warm. Provide fresh, clean water for your pet every day. Outdoor pets need to consume 25 to 50 percent more calories than usual to keep their energy levels up.
Heater Safety Tips
Do NOT bring heating devices into the home that are intended for outdoor use, such as propane and charcoal grills; other cooking equipment, such as propane cookers; natural gas or wood burning outdoor fire places; or outdoor patio heaters, as these items produce deadly carbon monoxide. Use electric space heaters with an automatic shut off switch and a non-glowing heating element. Do not place a space heater within three feet of
anything that could catch on fire, such as drapes, bedding, and furniture. Never leave children or pets unattended near a space heater. Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your home knows how to use them. Ensure all smoke detectors have new batteries and are in working order.
For additional information contact Ashlea Boyle, Special Projects Manager at (830) 258-1153 via e-mail to ashlea.boyle@kerrvilletx.gov or visit the city’s website at www.kerrvilletx.gov.
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