While many stayed indoors before last weekend, first responders braved icy roads as communities endured a second year of winter storm weather.
Local departments reported mostly less stressful conditions Feb. 3-4 as Winter Storm Landon swept through the area. The weather event was shorter and less severe than Winter Storm Uri nearly a year earlier.
“Call volume was lower than normal during the event,” said Taylor Fire Department Chief Daniel Baum. ”After temperatures increased over the weekend and things began to thaw, we had a few fire alarm activations due to frozen sprinkler pipes at some businesses.”
The Taylor Police Department also experienced few calls in regards to the weather.
“Police responded to one vehicle that had run out of gas, one with engine trouble and seven vehicles that went off the roadway – no injuries,” said Commander Joseph Branson.
Williamson County’s Precinct 4 Constables Office had a slightly busier couple of days, particularly Feb. 3.
“We responded to more accidents and traffic hazards on Thursday than on Friday,” said Chief Deputy Brian Olson. “We responded to 23 calls that included welfare checks, accidents, traffic hazards, 911 silent (alarm) and a structure fire in the 600 block of South Bird Street (in) Granger.”
Williamson County Emergency Communications had 201 calls for service on Thursday. There were 30 fire calls, 84 law enforcement calls and 87 calls for EMS. The Sheriff’s Office responded to a few crashes caused by icy roads within the county.
The county’s Mobile Outreach Team (MOT), who help those in mental health crisis, had fewer than 20 calls for service during the winter weather event compared to more than 600 during Winter Storm Uri. One homeless person was assisted with emergency shelter.
The EMS Community Health Paramedics checked on their medically vulnerable patients. They were able to help one Couplandarea resident get their generator working when Oncor had power outages in their area.
In addition to responding to crashes and reporting on road conditions, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office opened its Georgetown headquarters as a warming and charging station for residents without power.
City first responders prepared for what Landon might throw at them. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Storm Warning in the days leading up to the event. Sleet, freezing rain and bitter wind chills led to at least a tenth of an inch of ice on roadways.
Fire and police departments added or doubled normal staffing on Thursday and Friday. Tire chains for fire trucks were ready if needed.
“The Taylor Fire Department was well prepared for the winter weather,” said Baum. “Our biggest challenge was ice causing tree branches to hang lower than usual, causing difficult navigation on some roadways in the city. We used our four-wheel drive brush trucks to respond to medical calls and other calls for service where larger fire trucks were not needed.”
Taylor experienced two winter storms in 2021. As of Friday, Feb. 11, the prospect of a second winter storm this year was at least not in the seven-day forecast.
“A similar response is likely in the event of future winter weather circumstances,” said Branson.
The NWS Climate Prediction Center forecasts slightly above temperatures and no unusual chance of precipitation for the next 30 days.
