January 21, 2026

Friday: A Winter Storm Watch is in place for most of North Texas beginning Friday through Saturday night. Rain begins Friday morning. By late Friday night, temperatures could plunge below freezing and may not recover to at or above freezing until later Monday afternoon.

Saturday: Winter weather, including freezing rain, sleet, and dangerous cold are looking more likely. Snow begins late Saturday afternoon.

Sunday: Snow and sleet event comes to an end Sunday morning. We could experience 1 to 5 inches of a snow/sleet combination in our area. Extreme cold continues.

Monday: The low temperature is expected to be around 11 degrees. Temperatures don't rise above freezing until late afternoon, which means there could be 65 straight hours of below-freezing temperatures, potentially causing major issues for power and roads.

How We're Preparing

Town staff has already begun holding periodic meetings to discuss our plans for keeping the roads safe. Here's where we stand right now:

• Four sand spreaders and a plow have been installed on our Public Works vehicles and are ready to roll when needed.
• The Town will coordinate with Westlake's HOAs to ensure safe access into and out of our neighborhoods.
• Westlake staff will sand many of the Town's roads as well as the busiest intersections.
• TxDOT will pre-treat Highways 114 and 170
• In the event more sand/equipment is needed, the Town will partner with contractors to fulfill our needs.
• Keller Police will update us on road conditions every day at 7 am and 7 pm.

Potential Closings and Service Updates

• With winter weather expected to arrive on Friday, it will not impact garbage and recycling collection on Thursday of this week.
• It's too early for schools to make any decisions about closures or delays, but please check your district's social media pages and website over the weekend for updates.
• If Town Hall/Municipal Court closes, we will notify you via email and on our Facebook page.

• Copper and PVC pipes can crack or burst in freezing weather, so proper insulation is a must. In less severe freezing conditions, consider letting outside faucets drip, but they may need to be drained and their hoses disconnected in severely cold weather.

• Extensive damage and water loss can occur when pipes burst in unoccupied or vacant buildings, so make sure to include these structures in your cold-weather preparations. Ensure the building remains heated to help prevent issues with freezing. It's no fun to return and find water damage from a burst pipe!

• What if I can't turn the water off myself? Then immediately call 9-1-1, and our Westlake Fire-EMS team will respond to help.

• How do I know I have a busted pipe if I can't see the water leaking? Changes in water pressure, water discoloration, strange sounds when turning on water, water marks on ceiling/floors are all indicators that you may have a busted pipe.

• What if my fire sprinkler busts? Same as any other pipe, either try and turn it off yourself by using the valve in your garage or call 9-1-1 to help.

• Should I drain my fire sprinkler line to help prevent a busted pipe? NO, we do not recommend you turn off or drain your fire sprinkler if there is no existing issue. A fire could cause more damage than a busted pipe.

Frozen Pipes

• How do I thaw a busted pipe? Use a space heater or hair dryer and point them directly toward the frozen pipe. Wrapping a heating pad around the pipe may work as well. It may take several hours to thaw, so please monitor it closely.

• If a pipe is frozen, should I turn the faucet on or off? Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and it begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt the ice.

• What if I can't find where the pipe is frozen? If you cannot locate the frozen area, the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber immediately. We are hearing it may take a few days to have someone out to provide service; however, you will be on their service list as soon as they are able to get out and be of help.

REMINDER: We ask that when temperatures drop to near or below freezing, it's always wise to turn off your irrigation systems to help prevent pipes from bursting and causing additional water that will freeze and potentially cause more issues on streets and driveways.

• Who should I call if I have a power outage? Please call your provider to report outages. DO NOT call 911 or Town Hall.
• Should I unplug my appliances during an outage? It's strongly recommended that expensive electronics be unplugged during an outage to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored.
• Why do my neighbors have power, and I don't? You may be on a different feeder or transformer from your neighbors. The service line to your home may have been damaged and need repairs before your home can be reconnected.
• Why are generators dangerous? Generators can release poisonous carbon monoxide if you use them inside your home. If you're using one, keep it outside, about 20 feet from your home.
• Who do I call for issues with natural gas? Leave the area immediately, dial 9-1-1, and our Westlake Fire-EMS Department will respond. You can also contact Atmos Energy at 866-322-8687.
• What if I'm having problems with my fireplace? Also, call 9-1-1, and our Westlake Firefighters will promptly respond to troubleshoot.

We have an entire webpage dedicated to dealing with winter weather. You can learn much more about how to deal with the snow and ice by clicking here. In the meantime, please stay tuned to our website, social media channels, and future emails for continuous updates as we head into the weekend. Be safe, everyone!