This is a look from the Dallas Farmers Market area after the 2021 winter storm. (Joi Louviere/ COURIER DFW)
As Dallas braces for inclement weather, various city departments share tips about staying safe.
*Last updated on Jan. 22, 2026 at 9:55 a.m.
As Dallas braces for a significant cold snap, city officials are mobilizing resources and implementing comprehensive measures to protect residents. The upcoming weather event, expected to bring temperatures below freezing, has prompted multiple city departments to launch coordinated emergency responses and safety initiatives.
Emergency shelter and support services activated
The City of Dallas will open temporary overnight shelter, starting at 4 p.m. on Friday at Fair Park’s Grand Place building, 3701 Grand Ave. Transport requests to this shelter will be coordinated through 3-1-1. These facilities are activated when temperatures drop below 36 degrees with wet conditions or 32 degrees in dry weather for three or more hours between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. Capacity will cap between 800 and 900 people. The city will look for alternative shelter, if needed.
City preparations and emergency response
The EMCR expects to activate the Emergency Operations Center Saturday morning, January 24, at 7:00 AM. Residents are encouraged to register for DallasAlert, the city’s emergency notification system, by texting DALLAS to 67283 to receive critical updates.
Transportation and Public Works has mobilized 50 sanding trucks and six brine trucks for road treatment, with bridge pretreatment already underway. Crews will begin monitoring of bridges, overpasses, and major thoroughfares Friday afternoon and work on 12-hour shifts throughout the storm. Residential streets will not be sanded unless requested by the Dallas Police Department or Dallas Fire Rescue.
Changes to city services
The Department of Sanitation Services has announced potential schedule adjustments for waste collection. If weather conditions are deemed unsafe by 11 a.m., collections will be postponed, with Thursday collections moving to Friday and Friday collections to Saturday. During partial service days, garbage collection will take priority over recycling.
Pet safety measures
Dallas Animal Services emphasizes that pets should be kept indoors during extreme cold. The department has established protocols for addressing animals left in unsafe conditions, with residents encouraged to report concerns by calling 3-1-1. The Fair Park warming center welcomes people with pets, ensuring both receive proper care.
Property protection guidelines
Dallas Water Utilities advises residents to:
- Verify sprinkler system freeze sensors are functional
- Locate and learn to operate private water shut-off valves
- Insulate exposed pipes and outdoor faucets
- Allow faucets to drip during freezing temperatures
- Consider shutting off water when leaving town
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This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Courier Texas staff.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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