January 9, 2025

FORECAST

A mix of cold rain, snow, and occasional sleet will continue through the evening. Freezing rain should not be a concern moving forward. A transition to all snow and some sleet is expected this evening and tonight with a total of 1-5 inches of snow expected for our region.

Temperatures are cooling to 30 to 33° as precipitation occurs. Temperatures tonight won’t change much but will fall into the upper 20s early Friday morning due to wind chills. Temperatures will warm above freezing beginning late morning to midday Friday. 

SCHOOLS

Westlake Academy, Carroll ISD, Keller ISD, and Northwest ISD are all closed on Friday, January 10

TRASH

Trash and recycling services have been moved to Saturday

CLOSURES

Town Hall and Municipal Court will be closed on Friday, January 10 but staff will be working remotely so please email or call if you need any help

ROADS

Hazardous travel is expected for the rest of Thursday into Friday with road conditions starting to improve Friday afternoon.

Our Public Works Department has been working around the clock and will continue to do so treating Westlake's roads. If you need any assistance, please call them at 817-490-5729. If it's an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

FIRE-EMS

So far, our Westlake Fire-EMS team has received no emergency calls. That's great news! That means everyone is being incredibly safe. Please continue to do so and remain home unless you absolutely need to go out.

We'll have further updates as it pertains to Westlake throughout the next few days. In the meantime, please see below for tips on what to do if your pipes become frozen, and the steps you need to take if they burst. There's also information on what to do during a power outage.

• 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.

• 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!