01/09/2025
On behalf of the Office of Emergency Management & Crisis Response (EMCR), please accept this update highlighting the continued progression of the city’s preparedness efforts across multiple departments ahead of the anticipated winter weather impacts. As we transition from preparedness to response, our updates will be slightly modified, and you can expect the following:
An Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Activation Briefing Report by 10:30 AM
An EOC Operations Briefing report to close out the day by 6:30 PM
We will follow this rhythm daily until we de-activate the EOC
Between these reports, we will share any urgent information as appropriate
Yesterday, EMCR convened a third pre-event planning call with multiple City departments and infrastructure stakeholders to coordinate and outline ongoing action steps. Below is a summary of updates:
Office of Emergency Management & Crisis Response (EMCR):
The City of Dallas has been placed under a Winter Storm Warning, and we expect conditions to deteriorate over the next two days with at least moderate travel impacts. Importantly, the National Weather Service (NWS) has expressed that there is significant uncertainty for specific timing or precipitation types. In the City of Dallas, we are preparing to receive all forms of wintry precipitation, including sleet, freezing rain, and snow. EMCR Staff remain in constant communication with the NWS.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated on Thursday morning at beginning at 5:00am. The EOC will remain activated for the duration of the event and will serve as the coordination point for resource needs, interdepartmental collaboration, and communications.
Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS):
OHS, in partnership with Austin Street Center, continue to operate the Temporary Inclement Weather Shelter (TIWS) at Fair Park. The Austin Street Shelter located at 2929 Hickory St. is also operational. An additional shelter with capacity for an additional 250 persons will open tonight at the Fair Park Tower Building.
To prioritize safety during extreme weather conditions, the Office of Homeless Services has temporarily suspended all 311 service requests that are not related to inclement weather needs or encampment cleanings during shelter activations. This measure allows us to concentrate our efforts on supporting unsheltered individuals in temporary shelters.
Transportation and Public Works (TPW):
Activating twenty scouting trucks out monitor roadway conditions and assess locations for: broken pipes, sprinklers on, etc.
Starting 12 hour shifts starting at midnight tonight, coinciding with TXDOT 12 hour operational periods
Brined 296 bridges and 50 lane miles also assisted Love Field with treatment and preparation
Traffic signal staff will monitor for knockdowns signals and prioritize restoration and will monitor signals if there are power outages
Dallas Water Utilities (DWU):
Provided communications to commercial customers advising them to turn off sprinklers to prevent creating unsafe road conditions.
Continuing preparedness activities and supporting Public Works with pretreatment and sanding activities.
Department of Aviation (DOA):
Airport emergency management is monitoring conditions as event approaches.
Moving forward with staffing recalls and will be working 12-hour shifts starting at 7:00 PM on Wednesday.
Airport snow removal equipment has been staged.
Established emergency routes for airport firefighters and working with Public Works & Transportation to clear roadways around the airport.
Dallas Police Department (DPD) and Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR):
Monitoring conditions and will upstaff as needed.
Anticipating and planning for increased call volume.
Supporting Temporary Inclement Weather Shelter operations.
Code Compliance:
Communicating with multifamily properties to ensure they leave faucets dripping/cabinets open.
Emergency investigation protocols are in place.
Tracking cases and calls and reporting metrics once conditions begin to deteriorate.
Local Government - Dallas Council District 13
