Cold Weather Update

Updated Thursday, Jan. 29, at 8 a.m.

Support for individuals experiencing homelessness

For individuals experiencing homelessness, the City manages an emergency overnight overflow sheltering program when temperatures reach certain thresholds and regular emergency shelters are at capacity. The program is designed to open additional beds and locations as needed to ensure demand does not exceed capacity.

To access overnight shelter:

Individuals should first go to one of the regular emergency shelters:

Union Gospel Mission, 1321 E. Lancaster Ave.
Presbyterian Night Shelter, 2400 Cypress St.
Families should go to: The Salvation Army Mabee Center, 1855 E. Lancaster Ave.

If individuals arrive at regular emergency shelters and beds are full, they will be relocated to available overflow beds at one of the available additional emergency shelter locations.

The primary daytime resource for adults experiencing homelessness is True Worth Place, 1513 E. Presidio St., which operates daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find more information about local homeless resources and services here. If a resident sees someone they believe to be in crisis, they should call 911.

Park & Recreation remains in close communication with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is prepared to open community centers as emergency crisis shelters in response to incidents such as apartment fires or widespread power outages. Residents experiencing prolonged power outages or weather-related challenges are encouraged to call 311 to be connected with available City services.

If you are experiencing an emergency, or see someone in immediate danger, please call 911.

Environmental Services

Solid Waste Residential Collections

Garbage & Recycling:

Garbage and recycling collections will resume on Thursday, Jan. 29, with Thursday routes, as scheduled.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday customers are allowed extra bags, next week, on Monday, Feb. 2, Tuesday, Feb. 3, and Wednesday, Feb. 4, respectively.

Bulk Waste:

Bulk Waste Week 4 collections will begin on Thursday, Jan. 29. All Bulk Waste Week 4 routes are planned to be completed by Saturday, Jan. 31 – no later than Saturday, Feb. 7.
If safe to do so, residents can place bulk waste on the curb by Thursday before bulk collection crews come to your neighborhood.

Yard Waste:

All yard waste collections are temporarily suspended to support bulk waste collections, following this week’s weather-delayed start.

Drop-Off Stations & Environmental Collection Center:

Drop-Off Stations will resume normal operating hours to the public starting 8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29.
The Environmental Collection Center will resume normal operating hours Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 29-31.

Landfills & WM Recycling Facility:

Southeast Landfill and C&D Landfill are open Thursday, Jan. 29.
WM Recycling Facility is also open Thursday, Jan. 29.

Consumer Health Customer Service & Health Permitting

Consumer Health offices for in-person services have reopened. Staff are also available by phone at 817-392-7255 or by email at consumerhealth@fortworthtexas.gov.

Park & Recreation

All community centers will return to normal operating hours on Thursday, Jan. 29.

All golf courses will remain closed for play through Sunday, Feb. 1, and are anticipated to reopen on Monday, Feb. 2.

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge will remain closed on Thursday, Jan. 29, and is anticipated to reopen on Friday, Jan. 30.

Neighborhood Services Department assistance

Neighborhood Assistance Services (NSD) Department assistance is for low-income individuals and families that have been displaced from their home due to: Weather related emergencies, fires, flooding; etc. NSD assistance is designed to be a last-resort support for the individual and/or family in a temporary hotel.

Criteria for assistance: Must be at 200% Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG) or less. Must have a current residence affected by the outage and/or fire or other identified displacement : Must have proof of citizenship or legal residency.

If 24 hours or less assistance is required, individual/family will be directed to call 211, go to a warming center, fire station, or day shelter.

NSD cannot assist with the following:

Transportation to a hotel
Long-term hotel stays
Homeless individuals

Community Action Partners continues to help residents as employees are working remotely due to the poor weather conditions. Some outreach events may be postponed. Any resident who needs help with their utilities should visit our website.

Fort Worth road conditions

Latest update: Transportation & Public Works Street Operations continues sanding roads.

Crews have treated miles of roads with over 2,400 cubic yards of sand and salt mixture.
3,800 locations have been serviced with brine, sand, and/or debris and ice cleared from roadways.

Locations serviced include:

Police Department facilities
MedStar facilities
Hospitals
Joint Emergency Operations Center
Routes used in partnership with Trinity Metro
Fort Worth Convention Center
Will Rogers Memorial Center in support of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

About safe travel on area highways

From the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Fort Worth District:

Crews across the nine-county Fort Worth District began treating major state roadways in the area Wednesday. We are now in round-the-clock shifts as the region prepares for anticipated winter weather. The treatment at this phase in our operation is a brine application. Crews may also use a sand and salt mixture in the coming days as conditions dictate. Crews will continue working in around the clock shifts as long as warranted.

As we work to prepare for this weather event, we ask motorists to remember the following tips:

Give crews extra room to work and maneuver as we work around the clock to address roadways.
Delay travel when possible, as travel is discouraged during winter weather events. If you must go out, please drive to conditions, leave extra traveling space around you, and check local forecasts before heading out.
"Driving to conditions" includes driving below posted speed limits as merited during inclement weather.
Bridges and elevated roadways freeze first; use extra caution on these structures.
Stay current on road conditions. Visit www.drivetexas.org for conditions and up-to-date information.

Fort Worth Police notes

FWPD HOPE team has been out communicating with the unhoused population to advise them of the upcoming weather and handed out brochures with warming stations locations and shelters.

FWPD has increased personnel with specialized units to supplement patrol.

Please remember:

FWPD encourages essential travel only. Please don’t get out on the roadways unless absolutely necessary.
If you have to get out on the roadways, please make sure your vehicle has fuel in advance, working lights and proper tire pressure.
If you are involved in a non-injury crash, please move your vehicle off of the main roadway if possible.
Extra patrols will monitor high-risk travel areas like bridges and mix masters.
Call 911 for any emergencies. For any minor issues, please use the non-emergency line at 817-392-4222.
Continue to monitor all City of Fort Worth social media platforms for updates.

Public transit

For continual updates, check the Winter Weather Preparedness page throughout the day.

Protect water pipes and property

Weather forecasts indicate the possibility of over 60 consecutive hours of subfreezing temperatures occurring in the next few days.

That means it’s a good idea to take steps now to keep water pipes at homes and businesses from freezing and possibly bursting.

First: Find and learn how to shut off the water to your location at the private shut-off valve. Check this valve now to make sure it is working.

Make sure everyone in the household knows where this valve is in case a pipe breaks and you need to turn the water off in a hurry.

Fort Worth Water realizes you can’t always wait for a crew to show up in an emergency and will allow you to shut off the water at the meter. Be careful when removing and replacing the lid so you do not damage the wires attached to the radio transmitter.

Second: Here are some prevention tips:

What to do if you have no water: If it’s from a frozen pipe, it is safest to call a plumber to handle the problem. The pipe may be cracked and will burst when thawed. Don’t use an electrical appliance to heat the pipe. This could cause the pipe to burst, creating the risk of electrocution.

What to do in case of a water main break: Report the location of the running water or buckled pavement immediately by calling 817-392-4477 or by using the MyFW app.

Make sure all outside pipes are insulated. Disconnect hoses from the faucet and cover the faucet and any external pipes.
Check to see that pipes in unheated parts of your home or business (including crawl and attic spaces, under cabinets) are insulated.
Open cabinet doors that contain water pipes to allow heat to enter the areas. This may not be an option if you have children or pets and store hazardous materials in these cabinets.
Turn off or unplug your irrigation system during the winter to prevent ice on sidewalks or streets. Drain the lines to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
Commercial buildings with fire sprinklers should leave the heat on overnight and on weekends when subfreezing temperatures are forecast.
Keep extra water on hand during freezing weather in case a main break or frozen pipe cuts off your water supply.

Preparing for cold weather if you have pets

FWACC urges all pet owners to bring pets indoors whenever possible during extreme cold. If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for them.

If your pet must remain outdoors and you need help keeping them safe and warm, FWACC is offering free straw, dog houses, food, and sweaters for community members in need. Please contact FWACCINTAKES@fortworthtexas.gov as soon as possible for assistance.

Bring pets indoors during extreme temperatures
Bring all pets indoors when temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and shorthaired animals should be brought inside when temperatures fall below 35 degrees. Cold weather can be life-threatening, especially for vulnerable pets.

Provide proper shelter for outdoor pets

Outdoor shelters should be:

Elevated off the ground
Enclosed on at least three sides
Filled with dry bedding such as straw (Smaller, well-insulated shelters retain heat better than large spaces.

Ensure access to fresh, unfrozen water
Pets can become dehydrated in cold weather. Check water bowls frequently and use heated bowls if possible to prevent freezing.

Protect paws from ice and salt

Ice melt and road salt can irritate paws and be harmful if ingested. Wipe your pet’s paws after outdoor walks and watch for limping or excessive licking.

Keep cats indoors and check warm hiding spots

Outdoor cats are especially vulnerable in freezing temperatures. Cats may seek warmth under car hoods, so tap the hood or check underneath before starting your vehicle.

Leash dogs during winter walks

Leashing prevents pets from slipping on ice, falling into icy ditches, or becoming disoriented in winter conditions. Make sure ID tags and microchip information are up to date.

Never leave pets in vehicles

Vehicles can become dangerously cold very quickly. Pets are at risk of hypothermia and carbon monoxide exposure, even during short stops.

Provide extra care for senior pets

Cold weather can worsen arthritis and joint pain. Limit outdoor time and provide extra warmth with blankets or heated pet beds.

Use proper clothing and indoor accommodations

Pet sweaters, coats, and indoor training pads can help keep pets warm and comfortable while indoors.

Groom longhaired pets regularly

Long fur can help with warmth, but matted hair reduces insulation. Regular grooming helps longhaired pets retain body heat more effectively.

Use caution around heat sources

Space heaters, fireplaces, and heating pads can cause burns. Always supervise pets and provide safe, pet-approved warming options.

Prepare for winter emergencies

Have an emergency kit ready that includes pet food, water, medications, and supplies in case of power outages or prolonged indoor stays.

Adjust food intake if needed

Outdoor pets may burn more calories trying to stay warm. Ensure they receive adequate nutrition to meet increased energy needs.

Watch for antifreeze hazards

Antifreeze is extremely toxic to pets. Clean spills immediately and contact a veterinarian right away if ingestion is suspected.

Report animals in distress

If you see an animal in need during extreme cold:

Call 817-392-1234
Use the MyFW app

Notes from electric supplier Oncor

Oncor seasonal preparedness takes place year-round. Their teams completed winter seasonal preparedness efforts last year, which included inspecting and servicing thousands of electric facilities, performing winter checks on hundreds of vehicles and proactively replacing critical equipment.

For this event, Oncor has been monitoring forecasts and mobilizing inventory of additional equipment, like poles and transformers, across their service area. They’ve expanded the number of available working crews and confirmed additional support resources to ensure all hands will be on deck to respond to outage impacts. And they’ve continued their scheduled vegetation management and tree-trimming efforts, which have doubled across their service area as part of their first System Resiliency Plan.
We know that ice accumulation is the greatest threat to electric service. While Oncor is getting people and resources in place to respond as quickly and safely as possible, customers can stay connected with them by registering for my Oncor Alerts, – text REG to 66267 – downloading the MyOncor App, and visiting their website at Oncor.com.

Helpful videos

Find tips for preparing for and dealing with winter weather.

English video:

Spanish video:

Reporting Made Easy!

Report any weather-related issues on the MyFW app

Text Your Request to 817-928-0311

Report online and chat at Customer Care .

 Call 311 or 817-392-1234

As winter weather approaches Fort Worth, residents can report emergency issues directly through the MyFW app. Simply download the app and submit any emergency service requests you encounter. You can also report emergencies by visiting Customer Care, where City field operations will respond as quickly as possible. The MyFW app includes Emergency Categories to prioritize the most common weather-related issues. Emergency Service Requests include:

Clogged Inlet/Storm Drain Emergency
No Water Service Emergency
Street Blocked/Hazard Emergency
Street Light - Emergency
Traffic Sign Issue (Emergency)
Tree Traffic Visibility Hazard Emergency
Water Leaks/Mainbreak Emergency

Contact the City of Fort Worth

Check out 311 (see QR code below)
311 Fort Worth Contact Center: 817-392-1234
Text your request to 817-928-0311
Police non-emergency: 817-392-4222
Fire non-emergency: 817-392-3000
Ambulance: 817-927-9620
Water Call Center:  817-392-4477