Hockley and Cochran County residents faced freezing temperatures Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
Both counties were categorized as experiencing a hard freeze which has temperatures dropping to 28°F or below for a considerable amount of time.
During freezing conditions residents are encouraged to dress in layers and be mindful of time spent outside during the early morning. Additionally, those working outdoors are encouraged to take the necessary precautions while enduring the freezing temperatures.
With the recent rainfall experienced Sunday and standing water still remaining in various areas, commuters are asked to be mindful of the potential for unsafe road conditions.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down when driving on ice. High speeds make it both easy to lose control and difficult to stop.
For homeowners, preparing for winter weather or a freeze is important.
Tips to follow include: Wrapping outdoor and indoor pipes in unheated areas (like a clothes washer in your garage).
Removing water hoses and wrapping outdoor pipes.
Drain and turn off the lawn sprinkler system.
Turn off the water to the clothes washer if it’s in an unheated garage.
Store lawn equipment in a garage or shed to keep them in good condition for next year. Drain the gas.
If the house is left unattended to before a freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve and leave the heat on.
Open cabinets under sinks to let the house’s heat warm the pipes.
Check the exterior of your home for small holes and cracks. These can be sealed with caulk, foam, or weather stripping.
Spray ice repellant on your front steps.
Cover or remove window A/ C units.
Dump water out of birdbaths and fountains.
Bring small potted plants indoors, cover larger potted plants, and add mulch around trees and bushes.
Purchase supplies for heating and safety.
If the pipes freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into the house after they thaw.
Let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps or run water through the indoor faucets – hot and cold — before going to sleep.
In Texas, many water shutoff valves are located in your front lawn, but they may also be found in your garage, near your water heater, in a crawl space, or elsewhere. Make sure that the valve can be easily turned. If it is stuck, call a plumber to replace it.
In case there is a need to shut off the water but can’t use the water shut-off valve, check the city’s water department regulations to see if there are any restrictions on shutting the water off in your water meter. If there are, call the city’s water department emergency number for help.
If there are no restrictions, locate the water meter and turn the water off there. It’s easiest to do this with a water meter key (which can be bought at most hardware stores) but it can also be done with a crescent wrench and a screwdriver.
Gutters full of leaves and other debris can increase the likelihood of ice forming on the roof. Roof ice can lead to ice dams and thermal shock caused by the ice melting and refreezing, which can lead to costly repairs.
Check your fireplace and chimney. Schedule a cleaning if you aren’t sure how to do it yourself or if it has not been professionally cleaned in a while.