Kingsville Preparing for Sub-Freezing Temperatures

SOURCE: City of Kingsville press release / Janine Reyes

The City of Kingsville will be experiencing potential sub-freezing temperatures Friday through Tuesday. Temperatures could potentially dip below freezing beginning Friday with a stronger cold front anticipated to arrive Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday. Citizens should take all precautions to protect people, pets, and plants.

We recommend citizens cover any exposed pipes and vegetation around their property. Please make sure your pets are given adequate shelter with a heat source and dry bedding and have access to fresh water and food. The City of Kingsville Health-Animal Control Department recommends citizens bring outdoor pets inside for this weather event. When temperatures drop to around 20°F, the potential for frostbite and hypothermia increases significantly for your animals. Crews will be patrolling the city to remind citizens of pet safety and can impound animals left in harsh weather without adequate protection.

City and county offices are closed in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday Monday, but crews will be monitoring conditions. Garbage service is running an alternate schedule this week in observance of the holiday. Meals on Wheels crews will deliver additional meals in advance to limit cold weather exposure for crews and those in need. Now is the time to stay weather aware and prepare. You may get the most up-to-date and accurate information on the official City of Kingsville and the US National Weather Service Corpus Christi Texas Facebook pages.

Winterize your home

• Install weather stripping, insulation, and storm windows.
• Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
• Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.

Check heating systems

• Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure that it is clean, working properly, and ventilated to the outside.
• Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
• Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
• If you do not have working smoke detectors, install one inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.

Prepare your vehicle before travel

• Get your vehicle ready for cold weather use before winter arrives.
• Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded. The kit should include:
• Cell phone, portable charger and extra batteries
• Items to stay warm, such as extra hats, coats, mittens, blankets or sleeping bags
• Food and water
• Booster cables, flares, tire pump, and a bag of sand or cat litter (for traction)
• Compass and maps
• Flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• First-aid kit

Prepare for emergencies

• Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages.
• Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and water stored in clean containers.
• Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
• When planning travel, be aware of current and forecast weather conditions.