February 1, 2023

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The latest update from the National Weather Service Fort Worth indicates that freezing rain will continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening across much of North Texas, including Westlake. While some of the ice has melted, it is anticipated that the slush will refreeze overnight causing dangerous road conditions Thursday morning. Be sure to stay weather aware and be prepared for any possible power outages.

The icy conditions have created dangerous roads and forced several closings for tomorrow, February 2, that might impact Westlake residents. They include:

• Westlake Academy
• Carroll ISD
• Keller ISD
• Northwest ISD
• Westlake Town Hall & Municipal Court (limited staffing)

Westlake Town Hall will have limited staff working in the office including Public Works. Other Town staff will be working remotely so if you need any assistance, please reach out by email or phone. If you have questions or need our help, please call our after-hours emergency number at 817-490-5729.

Republic Services apologizes for the inconvenience to residents due to the changes in schedule caused by this storm. If you have any non-emergency trash-related questions or concerns, please contact Republic Services at 877-692-9729.

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
• Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees or set your temperature dial to normal or medium. Water heating accounts for as much as 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home. 
• Unplug electronic devices and turn off lights that are not in use. 
• Reduce your shower time and take baths only when necessary. Showering and bathing can account for 40 percent of your home's hot water use. 
• Operate your clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when fully loaded. 
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving the damper open is like keeping a window wide open – warm air goes right up the chimney! 
• If you have a pool, do not use the pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing. 

• Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
• Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Increase your following distance to five or six seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads will just make your wheels spin. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

Just save this link to your favorites to see all the various ways you can receive important Town information.

If you have any questions or need our assistance during these next few days of winter weather, please call our after-hours emergency number at 817-490-5729. And of course in an emergency, please call 911. Stay safe, Westlake!