Local governments, schools and law enforcement agencies in the Rio Grande Valley are joining residents in bracing for what’s been forecast as a dangerous winter freeze that’s already prompted the closure of several operations, including classes in some cases and instituting remote instruction in others, with COVID-19 testing and vaccinating also being affected.
As of 4:30 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service in Brownsville forecast — in addition to significant development of ice and sleet — temperatures dropping between 21 and 28 degrees by 7 a.m. Monday, possibly dipping as low as 18 degrees before reaching the low- to mid-30s by the afternoon.
Forecasts also included the “feels like” temperature hovering between 8 and 18 degrees sometime between dawn and 9 a.m.
Anticipated conditions prompted President Joe Biden to issue a federal emergency declaration for Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott said in a news release Sunday, which now authorizes FEMA assistance “for mass care and sheltering.”
CITY OPERATIONS
Locally, the city of McAllen announced the delayed opening of its offices, including City Hall and all in-person utility payments, until 1 p.m. Monday. This spans the public library and development center, and all in-person tax payments as well as the municipal court.
Fire and police protection services in McAllen will remain fully operational.
There are several more city services that will go unaffected, such as online payments for water and taxes, and although delays include trash and recycling pick-up due to icy conditions the McAllen Recycling Center Drop-Off will open with normal hours.
Other delays may be experienced at the Hidalgo-Reynosa and Anzalduas international bridges, several flights have been canceled or postponed at McAllen International Airport, and Metro McAllen routes with northbound transit bus company trips could be postponed through Tuesday.
SCHOOLS
The McAllen school district will not open its campuses Monday, choosing instead to provide “100% remote instruction,” according to a district news release issued Saturday. Meal distribution will be canceled as a result, and students without “district-issued instructional devices” must make arrangements with their teachers.
Classes and school meals are expected to be back to normal operations Tuesday.
Mission CISD is taking the same steps, opting for remote instruction for all students Monday due to the district’s facilities closing as a result of the weather.
In Donna, schools will be closed Monday with no virtual or in-person classes planned, a school district weather alert read, further noting that plans are in place to return to a regular schedule Tuesday.
South Texas College campuses have closed since Sunday and will remain closed Monday. But it’s uncertain how instruction will be impacted.
Anticipating the effects of the impending freeze, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was the latest education institution to adjust its schedule Sunday and announced the closure of its campus and off-campus locations.
This means that classes and activities are still on as all university operations will be conducted remotely Monday, UTRGV officials said in a news release.
Testing and vaccination sites operated by UT Health RGV will also be closed Monday, with plans in place to reopen by noon Tuesday. Anyone with an appointment that will be affected as a result of Monday’s closures will be contacted to reschedule, according to UTRGV officials.
Normal campus and remote operations are expected to return Tuesday “unless otherwise notified.”
Those unable to return Tuesday due to weather-related issues are asked to contact their supervisor, department chair or faculty member.
STATE TESTING SITES
COVID-19 testing sites in Hidalgo County that are operated by the state will be closed through Wednesday.
The county issued a news release Sunday stating that the testing centers will be canceled due to the weather, including the planned testing at PSJA ISD’s Old Ballew High School in San Juan.
Curative private testing walk-up kiosks will also be closed Monday.
“State officials, which run the non-Curative testing sites, said they wanted to encourage people to stay off the roads when sub-freezing temperatures are expected to be reached in Hidalgo County,” the release read.
State officials may decide Wednesday whether testing sites will be reopened.
Regarding county vaccination clinics, the release stated that officials are “still evaluating whether the weather may affect” the week’s plans, with a decision expected Monday.
EMERGENCY AGENCIES
Hidalgo County Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said Sunday that his office will be ready to respond to any emergencies that may arise as a result of the freeze.
As of early Sunday evening, Guerra said his office responded to a single call for assistance regarding a homeless person, as well as fielding several concerns regarding animals such as dogs being left outside.
“We’re just asking (residents) to be mindful that we’re going to have a weather event that we haven’t experienced in … maybe the last time it got this cold was in 1989,” Guerra said. “We’re asking that if they don’t have to be on the road, to stay off the road. Make sure they bring their pets indoors and watch out for exposed water pipes, and make sure those are addressed and covered, and maybe (leave) their faucet running a little bit.”
He also encouraged residents to monitor the weather and call local law enforcement agencies to report any emergencies.
Lt. Christopher Olivarez, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, stressed similar precautions Sunday, reminding the public of the danger of slick roads and to avoid any travel.
“If they do have to drive just be cautious and observe safety hazards on roads, check tires, make sure they’re working properly, and check your fuel so you don’t get stranded,” Olivarez said. “Have a backup plan on who to contact in case of an emergency.”
PROVIDING AID
Other aid-based agencies such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley mobilized days in advance of the freeze, opening shelters in the McAllen area in addition to other sites already operating throughout the region.
The American Red Cross has also provided support at 10 warming shelters where the nonprofit’s staff and volunteers have, since the weekend, distributed cots, blankets and water in Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr counties.
Dr. David Luna, executive director, said the Red Cross works in a support capacity for cities, counties and other entities operating these sites, and remains in communication with public officials about identifying other needs.
“As of earlier, we are helping support an estimated 10 sites — what we’re calling warming shelters where people can come in and get out of the cold,” Luna said Sunday. “At last count it was 10 total, and that could be more tonight or tomorrow because of the weather.”
According to Luna, these warming shelters have already opened in Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties.
“Yesterday, we were at our warehouse and provided cots and blankets to four communities in Starr County, so they’re spread out,” Luna said of Red Cross efforts.
The Mercedes dome in addition to shelters in Edcouch, Mission, Los Fresnos, La Feria and Raymondville, and several sites in Starr County, are among the locations where Red Cross services were being provided.
Luna said residents should call 2-1-1, or (800) RED-CROSS for information about what shelters and other resources are available.
