Ice storm grips North Texas as travel risks stretch into week

An arctic front moving across North Texas caused dangerous ice, longer power outages, and a catastrophic sledding accident on Sunday. State and municipal officials said that perilous travel conditions might last for more than 72 hours.

An ice storm warning is still in effect for some sections of North Texas until noon on Sunday. 

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for North and Central Texas until noon on Sunday, and an Extreme Cold Warning is in effect until 12 on Tuesday. Weather experts stated that temperatures might continue below freezing until Tuesday afternoon, which would make roads and bridges even more slippery.

The Texas Department of Transportation's road condition tracking programme, Texas, reported that ice, sleet, and snow have blanketed most of North Texas. The organisation warned, "Roads are likely to stay frozen and slippery until Tuesday."

At 8 p.m. on Sunday, not many highways were officially closed, but many significant routes were. State Highway 114 in Grapevine was closed in both directions because of "other circumstances". It was expected to open again at 9 a.m. on Monday. Because of construction that had already happened, two parts of Interstate 30 near downtown Dallas were still closed.

Local officials were telling people to remain home. Dallas police said that limiting travel lets first responders focus on emergencies.

On Sunday afternoon, a sledding accident involving three 16-year-olds occurred near Majestic Gardens Drive and Killian Court in Frisco. According to the police, a teenage male was driving a car and towing two girls on a sled when it hit a kerb and then a tree. Both girls sustained severe injuries that needed hospitalisation, and one of them later passed away.

An unusual "steamnado" erupted over Lake Lewisville as frigid air travelled over warmer water. From the shore, the eruption created a whirling column of steam.

Emergency workers in the area said they were getting a lot more calls. From Saturday morning to Sunday morning, Dallas Fire-Rescue went to 52 car accidents and 158 welfare checks. The Fort Worth Fire Department had around 130 more calls than usual in a 24-hour period. These calls were regarding car accidents, burns, and gas leaks.

The Dallas Police Department said it had answered 104 calls since midnight Friday and 23 since midnight Saturday. No severe injuries were recorded. Because of the severe weather, Denton County officials closed all county buildings until Tuesday.

Dallas City Hall will stay closed to the public on Monday, but important services and public safety will still be available.

Officials said that ice building up on trees and electricity wires might cause power disruptions in some areas while the region stays frigid.

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