City of Arlington Works to Keep Community Safe During Winter Weather

Published on January 23, 2026

By the Office of Communication

An Arctic cold front, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is set to impact Texas with significant snow, ice, and freezing rain this weekend. The storm is expected to bring a dangerous mix of winter weather beginning Friday, Jan. 23 and lasting through early Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

City of Arlington employees, including police officers and firefighters, Public Works crews, planning inspectors, plumbers and more, have been working since early this week to help protect public facilities from damage as well as take steps to keep the community safe during the extreme winter weather. 

Here are a few examples of City of Arlington employees in action. 

Preparing Arlington's Water Facilities

Over the past several days, Arlington Water Utilities has taken proactive steps to prepare equipment, vehicles, and facilities ahead of the winter forecast. Crews installed tire chains on city vehicles to improve traction on snow and ice, helping ensure quick response times during water and sewer emergencies. At the John F. Kubala Water Treatment Plant, staff secured and insulated critical electrical equipment to protect the system where lake water enters the treatment process. Fleet readiness was also a priority, with diesel fuel supplements added to larger vehicles to prevent fuel gelling and filter icing during freezing temperatures. In addition, sidewalks at the South Service Center were pre-treated with salt to create safe access for residents and essential workers before snowfall begins.

Keeping Arlington Businesses Open

While our Public Works crews are out pre-treating bridges and roads, the City of Arlington is also working behind the scenes to keep our local economy resilient during the extreme winter weather.

For example, John Snellings from our Planning and Development Services Department inspected the newly installed permanent backup generators at the South Cooper Street Walmart Supercenter. These upgrades replace temporary units, ensuring that even if the power dips, residents have a reliable place for essentials.

We’re helping businesses stay prepared so you can stay safe.

Educating Residents on How to Protect Their Homes

Public education is part of the City's winter weather preparation. That means working with local media outlets to provide information on topics ranging from heater safety to how to protect your pipes from freezing. On Friday, Richard Everhart with Arlington Water Utilities worked with NBC 5 to provide residents with a demonstration on how to shut their water off at the curb in the event of winter weather-related emergency.

WATCH: How to Turn Off Your Water at the Curb Video PSA

Treating Streets, Bridges and Hospital Emergency Department Entrances

Since Wednesday, Public Works employees have been taking preparations to make the high priority streets and bridges and the entrances to hospital emergency departments safe for drivers. Crews are applying salt brine at various locations throughout the City and are prepared to spread "ice chat" to melt ice that may begin accumulating in priority areas. READ MORE: Public Works Winter Weather Street Preparations

Protecting the Greens at Public Golf Courses

Parks, Recreation and Culture employees have covered the greens at the City's four public golf courses to protect the grass from the below freezing temperatures. Arlington's Tierra Verde Golf Club, Texas Rangers Golf Club, Lake Arlington Golf Course and the Meadowbrook Park Golf Course will remain closed until early next week. 

Winterizing Park Restrooms and Drinking Fountains

In preparation for forecasted freezing temperatures, Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture has winterized all park restrooms and drinking water fountains across the park system to help prevent weather-related damage.

These amenities will remain unavailable until temperatures return to safe levels. All services will be restored as soon as conditions allow. Thank you for your understanding as we take proactive steps to protect park facilities during this cold weather period.

Water Department employees - they're just like you! We're covering up our faucets and double-checking our sprinkler controller at the Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden before this weekend's freezing temps.

Preventing Ice on Sidewalks at City Facilities

Starting early Monday morning, Asset Management staff will begin spreading "Ice Melt" on sidewalks and at entryways of public facilities, such as City Hall, the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library and City Tower. This product helps visitors and employees keep their traction while leaving and entering these public facilities. In the photo below, building maintenance technician Fred Torres and HVAC tech Juan A. Martinez are loading up boxes of ice melt to prepare for deployment. Thank you, Asset Management!

Community Programming Librarian Emily Allen and Public Services Coordinator Linda Belanger helped out Friday but sprinkling salt on the sidewalks in front of the Southwest Branch Library.

Protecting Public Facilities from Freezing Water Pipes

On Friday, HVAC technician Omar Vazques-Gonzalez used a scissor lift to install new vented grills in the tall bay ceiling of Fire Station No. 16. The vents will allow heat from inside the station, located on Mansfield Webb Road in southeast Arlington, to reach the attic space and help prevent water pipes there from freezing up.

Helping the Homeless Find Shelter

Arlington police officers and volunteers who participated in the 2026 Annual Point-in-Time Count this week distributed cards with information about overnight homeless shelters that would be open from Friday, Jan. 23 through Tuesday, Jan. 27.