By Jessica Rush w/Plano Star
After a winter storm that shut down school for four consecutive days, saw dozens of traffic accidents and forced rolling blackouts across North Texas, the city of Plano is prepared for what comes next.
As the temperature rises above freezing, then comes the flood – both figuratively and literally.
“We are prepared for the onslaught of burst pipes that are going to wreak havoc on the plumbing systems,” Plano Fire Marshal David Kerr said.
Last year, more than 100 residential homes and commercial buildings called the Plano Fire Department with reports of burst pipes. There have already been more than 30 calls so far this year.
Kerr said historical data prompted the department to expect the heaviest call volume on Saturday and planned for extra staff over the weekend.
Homeowners’ pipes already broken from the frozen temperatures may not reveal themselves until the ice plug begins to melt. Warmer temperatures were expected over the weekend, leading to more emergency calls.
“Another factor that we have to look at this weekend is people becoming more active,” Kerr said. “We get calls about people slipping and falling, and it kind of exacerbates the problem.”
After days of being cooped up indoors, many drivers were expected to hit the road for the first time this weekend, causing even more traffic accidents. Police spokesman Rick McDonald confirmed there were a number of weather-related accidents this past week.
Plano’s public works and engineering department conducted 12-hour shifts of sand operations continuously since Monday night, and director Alan Upchurch said they were beginning to run low on sand and salt before a delivery came in Thursday.
“Now we have a sufficient stockpile of sand,” Upchurch said.
Though sand trucks may have run through Saturday, Upchurch cautioned drivers to follow the ruts in the road where vehicles already etched a path through the ice and snow. The city distributed sand at major intersections, bridges and overpasses as well as at problem areas of steep grades and sharp curves, but they did not get into residential neighborhoods.
Because frozen alleyways were too dangerous for trash trucks, collection and recycling services are suspended until Monday. Residents can set out extra bagged trash during their normal scheduled collection. Yard trimming collection is suspended until the week of Feb. 14.
The city does not anticipate needing extra funding as a result of staff overtime and additional public works resources.
“We do as a part of the budgeting process plan for a couple of foul-weather situations every year,” said Dana Conklin, director of public information.
The funding covers expenses incurred from snow, ice or even windstorms that require debris-removal activities.
Conklin said the city did not have any problems with response times during the storm, and it continued to meet the residents’ expectations. City employees worked day and night to handle the stormy situation and keep residents safe, Conklin said.
