Before the icy blast hits, make sure you're ready with items such as first-aid kits, batteries and jumper cables.
A blanket of frigid weather is descending on Waco this weekend and is expected to bring freezing rain, sub-zero temperatures and ice to Central Texas through Monday morning.
The potential for icy roads and low temperatures mean conditions could be life threatening without the proper preparations and precautions.
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a state-wide declaration of emergency Tuesday in response to the storm, which originated in Northern Canada.
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service followed up with a Winter Storm Watch for Central Texas lasting until 12 p.m. Sunday. A quarter to half an inch of ice could accumulate in McLennan County, according to weather service modeling, which could make roads unsafe and cause tree branches to create power outage.
North Texas counties are projected to see the coldest, snowiest weather during the storm, but the entire state could see temperatures near or below freezing by Monday.
The National Weather Service issued a separate Extreme Cold Watch for McLennan County on Thursday. That watch will be in effect from 6 p.m. Saturday to 12 p.m. Monday.
Here’s how to prepare for the winter storm before it arrives.
Cold-weather resources
Waco and McLennan County have been preparing for the storm for days, said Ryan Dirker, coordinator for the Waco-McLennan County Office of Emergency Management.
“We have a top-to-bottom coordinated response,” Dirker said. “Preparations have been underway for several days to harden city facilities, to treat roads, to do all the things that are within our power to do before the storm gets here.
Residents in need of warm shelter, bottled water, food or a cot to sleep on can visit the Waco Multi-Purpose Facility at 1020 Elm Ave. from 8 p.m. Friday through 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Pets are welcome. Workers and security personnel will be present to maintain a safe environment, according to the city’s website.
Follow the city’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X for additional updates as the storm progresses.
Emergency alerts
Waco and McLennan County residents who wish to receive emergency and severe weather alerts can sign up through the Civic Plus alert platform for free.
Residents with a Waco address should visit the following link here to sign up, while McLennan County residents living outside Waco have a separate link here.
Civic Plus replaces Waco and McLennan County’s previous Everbridge system. Residents who have already set up an account through Everbridge are automatically enrolled, Dirker said.
The alert service allows residents to customize notifications by category and delivery method.
Alert categories include:
- Winter storm
- Blizzard
- Fog
- Frost
- Heat
- High wind
- Severe thunderstorm
- Flood
- Tornado
- Dust storm
- Air stagnation
What do avoid
Dirker said the two biggest risks during winter storm events are unnecessary drives during icy conditions and the use of gas-powered generators inside homes or confined places, which can create deadly concentrations of carbon monoxide gas.
“People die in this country every year from asphyxiation because they run generators inside their house,” Dirker said, and “once the storm sets in, if there’s ice on the roads, please stay off of them. It’s inherently dangerous to be on the roads when there’s ice no matter how talented a driver you are.”
Waco-area roads
The Texas Department of Transportation Waco District began to apply brine on state roadways, including Interstate 35, on Wednesday across the eight counties the district manages.
Brine is a salt and water mixture that can help slow icing on pavement.
TxDOT recommends traveling only when necessary during the storm.
If trips cannot be avoided, the department offered the following tips for drivers:
- Follow local forecasts; be prepared to delay or cancel travel plans during icy weather conditions.
- Buckle up.
- Decrease speeds and drive to conditions.
- Increase your follow distance between vehicles.
- Anticipate slick and hazardous driving conditions; be extra cautious on bridges, overpasses, ramps, turns, and shaded areas.
- Do not use cruise control or lane assist.
- Give TxDOT vehicles at least 200 feet of space during operations.
Residents can follow TxDOT Waco District updates on Facebook.
Emergency car kit
If your car breaks down or becomes immobilized during sub-zero temperatures, the situation can become life-threatening without the proper gear.
In addition to a fully-charged cellphone, the National Safety Council recommends the following list of bare essentials for a winter storm car kit:
- Blankets, mittens, socks, and hats
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Flashlight, plus extra batteries (or a hand-crank flashlight)
- Jumper cables
- First-aid kit (band-aids, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, antiseptic cream, medical wrap)
- Bottled water
- Multi-tool (such as a Leatherman multi-tool or a Swiss Army knife)
- Road flares or reflective warning triangles
- Windshield cleaner
Some of the most important precautions for drivers begin before you hit the road, according to the National Safety Council:
- Clean your car’s external camera lenses and side mirrors
- Remove dirt, ice and snow from sensors to allow the assistive-driving features, like automatic emergency braking, to work
- In frigid weather, you may want to warm up the car before you drive
- To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, never leave a vehicle running in your garage – even with the garage door up
- If the forecast looks iffy, wait out the storm; if you must travel, share your travel plans and route with someone before you leave
Reporting outages
Waco and McLennan County residents can report and monitor power outages to Oncor with the utility company’s storm center platform. Residents can also call in an outage report using the following phone number: 888-313-4747.
Oncor has prepared for the storm by removing overhanging vegetation that could collect ice and down power lines, the company posted Thursday to its Facebook account.
Prepping your home
A winter storm in 2021 left millions of Texans without power in subfreezing temperatures for days, killing hundreds.
High winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures are the main hazards associated with winter storms, according to the National Weather Service.
These storms can cause an increased risk of car accidents, hypothermia and frostbite. They can also increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generators or gas-powered heaters.
Winter weather often puts a strain on Texas’ electric grid. When energy demand outpaces supply, regulators at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas are forced to take emergency measures, which can include temporarily shutting off power to customers to maintain grid stability.
Here’s how to prepare your home ahead of freezing weather:
- Insulate your pipes.
- Place covers on water hoses outside.
- Turn off and drain outside faucets before temperatures hit extremely low levels.
- Locate your main water valve so you can cut off your water in case of an emergency, like a burst pipe.
- Open up cabinets, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, to make sure heat is properly circulating to your pipes.
- Fill up bathtubs with water as a backup supply for flushing toilets.
- Cut down any weak branches or trees to prevent them from falling on power lines or your home and cars.
If your home or car is damaged in a winter storm by falling branches, power lines or hail, take photos of the damage to submit to your insurance.
Building a disaster kit
Preparation is key to staying safe during an emergency. Following a natural disaster, you may be without access to electricity, gas, roads, grocery stores and more. Building a disaster supplies kit can ensure you have the necessities.
A basic disaster kit should include enough food, water and first aid supplies to last several days. During emergencies like winter storms or hurricanes, it may be necessary to have enough supplies to last up to two weeks.
The American Red Cross recommends you have the following basic supplies in your kit:
- Water: one gallon per person, per day
- Non-perishable food like canned or dry foods
- A flashlight
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Prescription medications and medical items
- A multi-purpose tool that includes a screwdriver, a knife and pliers
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items such as wet wipes
- Copies of personal documents like medication lists, medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates and insurance policies
- Cellphone with chargers and/ or a portable battery bank
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket
- Maps of your area
You should also consider whether you need to include supplies for children, pets or those who may have additional medical needs.
Some additional items you may think about including in your disaster kit are:
- A whistle to signal for help
- Duct tape
- Baby supplies such as bottles, formula and diapers
- Dust mask or face mask
- Manual can opener
- Soap and hand sanitizer
- Over-the-counter medications
- Contact solution
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Rain gear
- Towels
- Pet food
- Gel chafing fuel or a bunsen burner to heat food
- Bug spray
- Cash in case of power outages
Each year, Texas offers a tax-free weekend for emergency supplies. In 2026, the emergency preparation supplies sales tax holiday will take place April 25-27.
Texas residents can also apply for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which is designed to help low-income families insulate their homes and reduce energy cost burdens. Weather stripping your home and updating cooling and heating systems can help prepare you for extreme heat or winter weather.
