Winter Weather

Published on February 18, 2025

Winter weather is back!

Safeguard the 4 P’s: People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes.

If roads are icy, consider delaying non-essential travel.

Keep an eye on @NWSFortWorth for the latest forecasts and take proactive steps to stay winter ready.

Subscribe to Alert GP to be notified about severe weather, emergencies, and other important news affecting the Grand Prairie area.

Warming Center Will Open Tuesday, February 18

As the cold weather sets in, we are committed to ensuring the safety and warmth of our residents. Starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, a 24/7 warming center will be operational at the Public Safety Building, 1525 Arkansas Lane, for all Grand Prairie residents. This service will continue until weather conditions improve.

Please note the following important information:

• Transportation to the center is not provided. 
• Only service animals are permitted; unfortunately, other pets cannot be accommodated. 
• Sleeping bags and cots are not allowed inside the center. 
• Residents are encouraged to bring chargers for their electronic devices. 
• Water will be provided on-site. Feel free to bring your own food.  

Tips to Safeguard Your Property

Winterize your home effectively by following these key tips:

• Turn your sprinkler system off. Water once every three weeks, if no rainfall has occurred, on a day without freezing temperatures.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor water hoses, then store them indoors for future use next spring.
• Cover outdoor faucets with Styrofoam faucet covers (available at hardware or home improvement stores) or wrap faucets with heavy cloth covered by plastic.
• Wrap pipes located in attics or garages with heat tape or cover them with pipe insulation.
• Locate your emergency master shut-off valve (usually found in a flower bed near the front of the house) so that you can quickly shut off the water to your house if any pipes happen to freeze and burst while they are thawing.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air into the area around interior pipes.
• Set the hot and cold faucets to drip slowly in the kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, and tubs. The slow movement of water in the pipes will prevent solid freezing.
• If you will be leaving town for an extended period of time, ask a close neighbor or friend to check on your property every few days.
• Any house or business that is totally vacant should be “winterized” – which is turning the water off at the meter and then opening all faucets on the property to drain the pipes.
• If water pipes become frozen, let them thaw naturally by exposing warmer air to the pipes.
• Never try to thaw pipes using hair dryers or other forms of heat!