Snow, ice and freezing temperatures didn’t stop Sachse resident Brandi Petee from venturing out over the weekend. Photo courtesy Nate Petee
A prolonged winter storm brought freezing rain, sleet and snow to Sachse over the weekend, prompting city officials to activate emergency preparations, close municipal facilities and urge residents to stay off the roads as dangerously cold temperatures and icy conditions persisted.
City officials began preparing ahead of the storm’s arrival. In a message posted Thursday, Jan. 22, the city said public safety teams were ready, with the Emergency Management division actively monitoring conditions and coordinating responses across departments.
Public Works crews staged sand trucks to deploy at major intersections and prepared portable generators to power traffic signals in the event of outages. City crews also remained on standby to clear fallen branches from roadways and assist with emergency water shutoffs if needed. Residents were encouraged to sign up for NIXLE emergency alerts and monitor city communication channels for updates.
As temperatures dropped and winter precipitation intensified, Sachse Animal Services also took proactive steps to protect vulnerable animals. The department issued a call Thursday seeking temporary foster homes for some of its youngest and most at-risk animals.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we’re hoping to place a few pets in warm, loving homes for the weekend to keep them extra cozy and comfortable,” the post stated, noting that fostering also helps make space for animals that may be found in the cold during severe weather. Residents willing to assist were encouraged to contact the shelter directly.
By Friday, Jan. 23, city officials announced the closure of several municipal facilities for Saturday, Jan. 24, due to forecast inclement weather. Those closures included the Sachse Public Library, the Community Center and the Sachse Animal Shelter. All planned events and programs were canceled, though Animal Services remained on call to respond to urgent needs and ensure animals were safe and well cared for.
Winter precipitation continued through the weekend, adding to existing ice and creating slick road conditions throughout the city. In an update posted Sunday, Jan. 25, the city said precipitation was tapering off, but temperatures remained well below freezing and travel conditions continued to be hazardous.
Residents were strongly encouraged to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, particularly as many roadways became hard-packed with ice and snow. Officials noted that cold temperatures would slow improvement and keep roads slick for an extended period.
Additional closures were announced for Monday, Jan. 26, with all Administrative and Leisure Services facilities closed due to unsafe road conditions. Those closures included City Hall, the Community Center, the Sachse Public Library, the Senior Activity Center and the Animal Shelter. Animal Services continued emergency operations to ensure animals remained cared for during the closure.
Community Waste Disposal also notified the city that all services scheduled for Monday were canceled because of unsafe road conditions. City officials said CWD would communicate a recovery plan once conditions improve and operations can safely resume.
School closures added to the widespread disruption. Wylie and Garland independent school districts canceled classes and activities Monday and Tuesday. Collin and Dallas Colleges also closed campuses due to hazardous travel conditions.
City officials continued to urge residents to check on neighbors, conserve energy where possible and exercise caution if travel could not be avoided. Drivers were advised to slow down, increase following distance and use extra caution on bridges and overpasses.
Updates will continue to be shared through city communication channels as conditions evolve and recovery efforts move forward.
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