Richardson, TX

Richardson’s Winter Weather page equips residents with guidance and resources before, during, and after a winter weather event. The page covers how to stay informed, prepare your household, request brush and bulky item pickups, report utility issues, and protect your home and plumbing in freezing conditions.

Stay Informed

• Follow the City’s official social media channels and news outlets for up‑to‑date information during winter weather events.
• Use platforms like Facebook, Nextdoor, and RichardsonToday.com for announcements and closure updates.
• Sign up for e‑newsletters such as the Week in Review for weekly updates.

Prepare for Winter Weather

The City recommends remembering the 4 P’s to prepare for winter weather:

• People: Check on children and seniors; they are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures.
• Pets: Bring pets inside. Animals that must remain outdoors should have insulated shelters with blankets.
• Plants: Bring container plants indoors if possible; cover outdoor plants with light sheets to protect them.
• Pipes: Wrap exposed faucets and pipes to prevent freezing and allow indoor faucets to drip when temperatures drop below freezing.

Downed Limbs or Trees

• After a winter storm, you can request a Brush and Bulky Item Collection (BABIC) pickup if limbs or trees are down on your property.
• Schedule pickup by calling 972‑744‑4111 or using the BABIC request form at cor.net/babic.
• Curbside brush pickup is available on your regular recycling day if the request is submitted by 11:59 p.m. the night before.

Sanding Operations

During winter weather events, the City of Richardson focuses sand application on intersections, bridges, hospital entrances, major roadways, and other high-priority locations where icy conditions pose the greatest risk to public safety. Bridges and overpasses freeze first, intersections experience the highest braking and turning activity, and access to emergency and medical facilities must remain as safe as possible.

Like most cities, Richardson does not have the equipment, materials, or staffing required to sand every neighborhood street. Attempting to blanket all streets would significantly delay response in critical areas and reduce the effectiveness of limited resources. Instead, the City follows established winter weather response practices that prioritize locations with the highest traffic volumes and safety risks, while encouraging drivers to avoid travel during icy conditions whenever possible.

This targeted approach allows crews to respond quickly, efficiently, and where they can have the greatest impact on overall safety during severe winter weather.

Utilities – Oncor & Atmos

ONCOR (Electricity)

• Report power outages by calling 888‑313‑4747 or visiting the Oncor outage page.
• Have your ESID (found on your electric bill) and ZIP code ready.
• Pre‑register your location by texting ‘reg’ to 66267 to receive updates and faster service.
• When power is restored, reduce demand by adjusting thermostats and turning off lights; leave a porch light on for crews.

ATMOS Energy (Gas)

• If you smell gas, leave immediately and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866‑322‑8667.
• Contact Atmos’s 24/7 emergency line for any natural gas leaks or inaccessible meters.
• Winter tips: Do not use ovens or stovetops to heat your home; clear snow and ice from gas meters with a broom; ensure dryer vents are unobstructed.

Winter Weather Safety

Winter storms can bring ice, sleet, and snow; the National Weather Service issues winter storm watches, advisories, and warnings to alert residents. Follow these safety tips:

• Turn off sprinklers to avoid hazardous conditions on roadways.
• Check heating sources; ensure they are working properly and ventilated.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
• Store water and food supplies in case travel is unsafe.
• Avoid driving on overpasses and bridges; they freeze faster than roads.
• Prepare an emergency kit by visiting ready.gov/winter-weather.
• Winterize pipes by keeping faucets dripping and wrapping exposed pipes to prevent bursts.
• Ensure pets’ well‑being with adequate food, water, and shelter; move outdoor cages away from windows.
• Trim trees away from power lines to reduce the risk of outages.

Prevent Burst Pipes & Plumbing Precautions

How to locate and shutoff water to your home.

How to Turn Off the Water to Your Home

• Locate your main water shut‑off valve, usually near the water meter box or at the front of your house.
• The valve is housed underground; use pliers if the handle is difficult to turn.
• If you do not have a separate shut‑off valve, you may need a special water meter key to turn off water at the meter.
• For water emergencies or if you cannot shut off the water, call the 24‑hour response center at 972‑744‑4111.

Simple Precautions

• Remove outdoor hoses and cover faucets with insulated covers.
• Open cabinets under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
• Leave a small trickle of water running through pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, and outside walls.
• If leaving town during freezing weather, keep the thermostat at least 50 degrees.
• Visit the American Red Cross website for more information on winter plumbing safety.