Taylor, East Wilco weather Winter Storm Fern
An ice storm that slammed eastern Williamson County with record lows that turned roadways into skating rinks, closed schools and government offices and cleared shelves at stores still lacked the fury of Winter Storm Uri five years ago, officials said.
Winter Storm Fern blew into Central Texas early Saturday and over three days brought nighttime temperatures down to a record 18 degrees in the greater Austin area, not counting the wind-chill factor, which moved the mercury into single-digit numbers, meteorologists said.
However, unlike Uri, this weather system delivered thick ice but no snow — at least in this part of Texas. The front and its winds arrived Friday pushing rains that soon transformed into frozen accumulations on the ground.
Uri in 2021 was responsible for 240 deaths in the Lone Star State, including six in Williamson County. As of press time, 28 fatalities nationwide are tied to Fern’s 2,300mile swath across multiple states, including one demise in Texas but none in Williamson County.
The snow and ice from Fern affected 35 states and canceled thousands of flights.
In Taylor, municipal resources were prepared and responded appropriately, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Daniel Seguin said city first responders answered three nonfatal accidents during the storm.
“The (Taylor) Fire Department did not respond to any vehicle accidents in the city limits, but responded to two outside of the city limits,” Seguin said. “The (Taylor) Police Department may have responded to a minor incident that didn’t require the Fire Department.”
According to Seguin, the city had “colder temperatures during Uri.”
He also reported the city ice total this time was 0.15 inches.
County officials also urged residents to stay safe and off ice-coated roads, at least until thawing started midday Monday and Tuesday morning with the sun’s arrival. Still, the temperatures only reached the mid-40s Tuesday and clumps of ice remained where sunlight couldn’t reach.
“Stay safe and warm indoors during (Winter Storm) Fern,” County Judge Steven Snell said in a video statement issued early this week from the Office of Emergency Management in Georgetown.
At one point, Snell reported 268 homes were without power, 58 people were housed in two warming centers – one of those being St. James’ Episcopal Church in Taylor – and 27 roads were closed due to ice, sometimes 2 inches thick.
In general, county roads saw accumulations of ice up to half an inch, officials said.
Most of the traffic closures were on ramps to overpasses in the Cedar Park and Round Rock areas in western Williamson County.
Snell also reported three minor house fires in the county, but no loss of life or property.
Both the county and Taylor emergency management teams met frequently as the latest winter storm tightened its grip on Williamson County.
As the front approached, posts on local social-media sites showed shelves being cleared by so-called “panic buyers” at area groceries including H-E-B. Many stores also closed early or didn’t open during the storm and its immediate aftermath.
Meanwhile, county and city offices stayed shuttered Monday, as well as area school districts.
In East Williamson County, five independent school districts – Taylor, Hutto, Thrall, Granger and Coupland – remained closed Tuesday, as did St. Mary’s Catholic School.
All six school systems were scheduled to reopen Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Williamson County offices reopened at noon Tuesday, and Commissioners Court started its session at 1:30 p.m. as opposed to its usual time of 9 a.m.
Taylor city offices were back in business at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Taylor was scheduled to host open houses regarding future growth and development Monday and Tuesday, but those were postponed.
Future dates for the sessions will be announced.
The cold weather also caused headaches for property owners dealing with burst pipes and other ice-related mishaps, keeping contractors busy.
According to Amy Ponce with Plumbing Outfitters, her Taylorbased company answered 30 to 40 calls Tuesday and more are pending.
“We had eight technicians running four to five calls each Tuesday,” Ponce said. “It’s pretty busy. Most of these calls are for frozen pipes, water line leaks, softeners and busted pipes.”
Taylor officials said city crews kept roads as ice free as possible by applying sand to bridges.
The Texas Department of Transportation also reported its crews got out ahead of the storm to pretreat roads.
St. James’ and its partner, the Taylor Center for Assistance and Navigation, housed 15 men at the church and paid for 26 hotel rooms for women, children, individuals with special needs and overflow from the church.
St. James’, 614 Davis St., has served as a warming shelter since 2021.
Chlapek can be reached at Jason.chlapek@ granitemediapartners. com and Treadway at [email protected].
