Washington County Office of Emergency Management

04/03/2026

Attention!

TXDOT will begin construction on a new bridge on Highway 105 on Monday, April 6.

The bridge is over Jackson Creek, located between Gaskamp Road and Flewellen Road.

The area engineer Jeff Miles stated that there will be short periods where the road will be closed to one lane; however, the majority of the project will have both lanes of traffic open.

The project is anticipated to be completed at the end of this year.

Please drive carefully and be aware of potential slower speed limits, and possible delays.

03/26/2026

🚧 Road Closure Notice – Baylor Street 🚧

Please be advised that Baylor Street, from Main Street to Alamo Street, will be closed on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to ongoing work related to the Courthouse Exterior Renovation Project.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as this important work continues to ensure the long-term safety and preservation of the courthouse.

Please plan accordingly and use alternate routes during this time.

Thank you!

🚧 Road Closure Notice – Baylor Street 🚧

Please be advised that Baylor Street, from Main Street to Alamo Street, will be closed on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to ongoing work related to the Courthouse Exterior Renovation Project.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as this important work continues to ensure the long-term safety and preservation of the courthouse.

Please plan accordingly and use alternate routes during this time.

Thank you!

03/20/2026

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – OLD INDEPENDENCE ROAD 🚧
Old Independence Road will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 24 at 8:00 AM through Thursday, April 10 at 5:00 PM.
📍 Closure Location:
Between Seeker Road and Rocky Hill School Road
➡️ Important Details:
• Access will remain available up to Seeker Rd and Rocky Hill School Rd
• No through traffic will be allowed between those two points
• The roadway will be completely closed in that section while crews install large box culverts
• There will be no access across that portion of the road during this time
We appreciate your patience as our Road & Bridge team works to improve infrastructure in this area.
📞 Questions or concerns?
979-277-6275
Thank you for your understanding as we complete this important project!

🚧 ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE – OLD INDEPENDENCE ROAD 🚧

Old Independence Road will be closed beginning Tuesday, March 24 at 8:00 AM through Thursday, April 10 at 5:00 PM.

📍 Closure Location:
Between Seeker Road and Rocky Hill School Road

➡️ Important Details:
• Access will remain available up to Seeker Rd and Rocky Hill School Rd
• No through traffic will be allowed between those two points
• The roadway will be completely closed in that section while crews install large box culverts
• There will be no access across that portion of the road during this time

We appreciate your patience as our Road & Bridge team works to improve infrastructure in this area.

📞 Questions or concerns?
979-277-6275

Thank you for your understanding as we complete this important project!

03/10/2026

🔥 Burn Ban Lifted in Washington County 🔥

The Washington County Burn Ban has been lifted following recent rainfall and improved conditions.

Outdoor burning may resume; however, residents are urged to continue using caution and follow all safety guidelines when burning. Never leave fires unattended and always keep a way to extinguish the fire nearby.

Thank you to everyone for your cooperation in helping keep Washington County safe.

02/13/2026

🔥 Burn Ban Approved for Washington County 🔥

This morning, the Washington County Commissioners Court approved an Order Restricting Outdoor Burning.

🚫 The burn ban will go into effect TODAY, February 13, at 12:00 p.m. (noon).

Due to current dry conditions and increased fire risk, outdoor burning is temporarily prohibited in unincorporated areas of Washington County.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping protect our homes, property, and first responders. Please share this information with friends and neighbors.

01/26/2026

❄️ Washington County Facility Closure Update ❄️

Due to continued hazardous weather conditions, Washington County facilities will remain closed on Tuesday, January 27

While road conditions within town areas are improving, temperatures are expected to remain near or below freezing for extended periods, with refreezing after sundown and early-morning wind chills below safe travel thresholds. Out of an abundance of caution, and in alignment with the decisions made by Brenham ISD and Burton ISD, the County is taking these same precautions to prioritize safety.

All essential county services will continue to operate as needed.

Washington County will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as they become available. Please limit travel if possible and continue following cold-weather safety precautions.

💙 Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work together to keep our community safe.

01/25/2026

❄️ Winter Weather Update | 1/25/26 – 1:00 p.m.

The heaviest precipitation has moved out of our area. Our main concern now is very cold temperatures and wind chills, along with refreezing on bridges and overpasses, which may create slick and hazardous road conditions, especially overnight and into Monday morning.

Road Conditions
• County Road & Bridge crews are actively clearing downed trees and maintaining access to emergency facilities
• Bridges and elevated roadways may thaw briefly and then refreeze quickly — please use caution

Public Safety
• Sheriff’s Office reports extremely slick roadways countywide
• EMS and emergency services remain operational

Power & Utilities
• At peak, over 1,000 customers were without power
• Power has been restored to nearly all customers, with only limited outages remaining
• All critical infrastructure, including hospitals and public safety facilities, is operational
• For any inquiries regarding a warming center, please contact Faith Mission at 979-277-7330

Community Impact
• Public safety call volume dropped by over 50% during the storm, thanks to reduced travel, early preparation, and community members staying off the roads. Thank you, Washington County, for doing your part to keep everyone safe!

Emergency Operations
• The Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 3 – Increased Readiness
• County officials continue coordinating closely with local, state, and community partners

🚫 SAFETY REMINDER 🚫
• Please stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.
• Continue taking cold-weather precautions and check on neighbors who may need assistance.

If you observe hazardous roadway conditions, please contact Washington County Dispatch at (979) 277-7373.

We’ll continue to monitor conditions and share updates as needed. Thank you for helping keep Washington County safe. 💙

01/25/2026

Good morning: stay safe & warm.

01/25/2026

❄️ Winter Weather Roadway Update | 1/25/26 – 5:45 a.m.

Icy conditions are developing across Washington County as freezing temperatures combine with rain, sleet, and freezing rain. Bridges and overpasses are especially hazardous, and conditions are expected to worsen as traffic increases this morning.

🚫 Please stay off roadways unless absolutely necessary.
Limiting travel helps reduce accidents and allows emergency crews to respond more quickly where needed.

We will continue to monitor conditions and share updates as they become available. Stay safe and warm.

01/24/2026

📢 Weather Preparedness Update - 01/24/26 - Noon

Washington County Office of Emergency Management and City of Brenham participated in a Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) State Preparedness Call to review conditions related to the ongoing winter weather event.

At this time, our area has experienced minimal local impacts, and county operations remain normal. However, colder temperatures are expected later today and overnight, with below-freezing conditions anticipated through Monday.

Washington County OEM and the City of Brenham remain in an Increased Readiness posture and are actively monitoring:
• State and TDEM guidance
• National Weather Service forecasts
• Local roadway and emergency services activity

We will continue to coordinate with our state and local partners and will share additional updates with the public if conditions change.

Please prepare now:
• Avoid unnecessary travel during icy conditions
• Charge devices and have flashlights and extra batteries ready
• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with medical needs
• Keep pets indoors and protect exposed pipes

📞 Roadway concerns:
If you observe hazardous roadway conditions, please contact Washington County Dispatch at (979) 277-7373.

Please continue to monitor official county and city communication channels and take appropriate cold-weather precautions. Stay safe and stay informed. ❄️

01/23/2026

📢 Winter Weather Preparedness Update – Washington County

Washington County and our community partners are closely monitoring the approaching winter weather expected this weekend.

Based on current forecasts, our area could see light ice accumulation along with wind gusts, which may create hazardous road conditions and the potential for power outages.

A proactive step has been taken:
County Judge John Durrenberger signed a Declaration of Local State of Disaster related to the approaching winter storm.

What’s happening now:
• County, City, and community partners are continuing to monitor weather updates, track local conditions, and assess potential community impacts—working together throughout the event
• The Washington County Road & Bridge Department is placing icing rock material on all Washington County–maintained bridge structures to counteract the potential for ice formation
• Road & Bridge teams are on standby in the event additional material is needed or if trees and limbs fall due to ice accumulation
• Utility crews are staffing additional crews and staging resources to respond quickly
• First responders and dispatch are preparing for increased call volume and weather response
• If warming centers or additional community resources become necessary, that information will be shared promptly

Please prepare now:
• Avoid unnecessary travel during icy conditions
• Charge devices and have flashlights/batteries ready
• Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with medical needs
• Keep pets indoors and protect exposed pipes

📞 Roadway concerns:
Please contact Washington County Dispatch at (979) 277-7373 if you observe hazardous roadway conditions.

We’ll continue to share updates as conditions change. Please stay safe and avoid unnecessary travel during the upcoming winter storm. Thank you to all our first responders, utilities, road crews, and community partners for working together to keep Washington County safe. 🤝❄️

01/21/2026

📢 Weather Preparedness Update

This morning, the City of Brenham and Washington County Office of Emergency Management held a briefing call with potentially impacted community partners - local school districts, the State of Texas, our Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) partners, and mass sheltering and warming center partners at Faith Mission.

We are actively:
- Monitoring weather updates twice daily
- Participating in TDEM weather calls
- Tracking local conditions and potential community impacts

What you can do:
- Keep updated with the latest information at the following places:
1. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityofbrenham and https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonCountyOEM
2. City of Brenham: https://www.cityofbrenham.org/
- Dress in layers and limit time outdoors during extreme cold
- Protect pets, plants, and pipes
- Check on elderly neighbors or those without reliable heat
- Use space heaters safely and never leave them unattended
- Stay weather-aware before traveling

At this time, there are no changes to City of Brenham services, but we are prepared to respond if conditions worsen. Information about warming centers or additional resources will be shared if needed.

We will continue working closely with our partners and provide updates as conditions change. Thank you for staying informed, prepared, and looking out for one another.