TEMPLE, Texas — The 6 News Team is tracking the historic Central Texas weather at all hours. Take a look at the forecast for the latest storm developments.
Below are some helpful links:
BOIL WATER NOTICES: Boil water notices issued for several areas in Central Texas
SCHOOL CLOSURES: List of school closures
WARMING STATIONS: Warming stations in Central Texas
VACCINE UPDATES: List | Vaccine cancellations
Sunday, Feb. 21 Updates
7:45 p.m.
The Clements Boys & Girls Clubs facilities will open to serve 6-12-year-old youth from Monday through Wednesday in response to school closures by Killeen ISD.
The following facilities will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.:
- McLaurin-Boyd Family Clubhouse (MLB): 703 N 8th Street, Killeen, TX 76541 | 254.699.5808
- Nolanville Unit (Nolanville): 400 Gold Star Avenue, Nolanville, TX 76559 | 254.275.8166
- Woody Hall Unit (Woody Hall): 5100 Trimmier Road, Killeen, TX 76541 |254.634.0308 (**Youth must be 7 years old to attend)
The organization said all enrollment and activity fees have been waived for the time being. Parents are asked to register kids online if they are not already active members. Applications can be completed on the Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas website. Staff will have additional membership application available at each site on Monday morning.
4:35 p.m.
Baylor University said it will return to normal operations with on-campus instruction and on-campus work starting Monday, Feb. 22.
3:15 p.m.
Temple ISD announced it will give out free meals to kids under the age of 18 on Monday. Breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and children do not have to be present, according to the district.
The food distribution locations include:
- Hector P. Garcia
- Jefferson
- Raye-Allen
- Scott
- Thornton
- Western Hills
2:15 p.m.
The Killeen Independent School District said schools will remain closed through Wednesday, Feb. 25 due to lack of access to water needed for restrooms, cooking, drinking and fire suppression. The earliest classes could resume is Thursday, but a final decision has not been reached.
9:35 a.m.
The City of Killeen has established three water filling locations for people in need of water. The following locations will be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Killeen Water and Sewer, 805 West Jasper Dr. -- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
- Community Center Complex Ball Fields, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard -- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
- Haynes Elementary School, 3309 W. Canadian River Loop -- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Residents must bring their own containers to fill and amounts may be limited on demand, the City said. All water must be boiled prior to consumption and water use should be limited to essential purposes only.
The City is asking all residents to check their properties for leaks and to report them immediately to 254-501-6320 or wsoperations@killeentexas.gov.
Saturday, Feb. 20 Updates
10:15 p.m.
Bell County said it is pausing new, first dose COVID-19 vaccinations as it catches up on second dose appointments delayed by the winter weather. The county said it has partnered with Baylor Scott & White to administer the delayed second doses this coming week.
9:50 p.m.
Fort Hood officials said crews are working to fix a busted pipe that has impacted more than 900 soldiers in seven barracks. They anticipate the repairs will take 24 hours to complete.
9:30 p.m.
Belton ISD said that its schools would remain closed through Monday as families in the district continue experiencing issues with electricity and water. The district said free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be available Monday at all schools.
More about the district's plans:
2:45 p.m.
The City of Belton is asking residents to conserve water as demand continues to outpace supply. Although the city has not issues a boil order, the city said it is "on the verge."
9:49 a.m.
The city of Marlin said their water is restoring, but continue asking for residents to limit usage. "The plant will need until tomorrow to fill ALL 4 TOWERS," city officials posted on their Facebook page. "The plant needs 24 hours to fill each tower with the 150,000 to 250,000 gallons they require."
9:34 a.m.
Oncor posted an update on power outage numbers as follows:
- 40,000 outages remain after the ice storm that impacted Killeen, Round Rock, Temple, Palestine, Lufkin and Nacogdoches. Those outages are expected to be restored by Sunday, Oncor said.
- Another 9,000 outages remain from the cold weather and lack of generation. Those customers are expected to have their electricity restored today.
9:20 a.m.
President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Texas in the wake of the winter storm. Here's how you can apply for help right now.
9:15 a.m.
The city of Harker Heights issued the following water update: "As our water tanks begin to fill and the water is beginning to be pushed out, please know that there will be air within the lines as well as gurgling sounds. Please know that this is a City Wide water issue. A boil water notice is in effect for all properties in Harker Heights."
We will update as more information is provided.
Friday, Feb. 19 Updates
10:30 p.m.
Harker Heights enacts a boil water notice, which is in effect until further notice. City officials say they loaned the city of Killeen water in their battle with a hotel fire Friday night. You can see a list of all boil water notices here.
8 p.m.
The city of Waco announced a free water distribution from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Pick up is available at 3rd Street and Washington Avenue next to the Waco Convention Center. One per family.
5 p.m.
"ALL CAR WASHING IS PROHIBITED."
That's the message from officials with the city of Killeen, labeling the situation a "Stage 5 water conservation due to extremely limited water supply." This temporary ban on car washes includes at-home washing and car wash facilities. Officials warn that violators will be cited and fined.
4 p.m.
Schools with the Killeen Independent School District will not resume face-to-face instruction on Monday following Winter Storm Uri, Superintendent Dr. John Craft announced Friday.
In a virtual news conference, Craft added that students won't be required to do virtual learning, either.
"We know we have several issues across 27 of our facilities that we know will be significant," he said.
Some of the issues include power outages, water outages, fire sprinkler systems broken or frozen, as well as water on floors which could've potentially damaged electrical systems, Craft said.
The Waco Police Department also issued the following emergency declaration order, saying it's being done to ensure protection of the water system: "All cleaning and laundry plants, commercial laundry (self-serve commercial) and car washes in the city are required to cease all operations and activities until noon on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021."
Read the full notice:
1:30 p.m.
The City of Belton has initiated Stage 2 Drought Conditions Friday with the goal of reducing water consumption by 10 percent, according to a news release.
Though the city is not currently in a drought, it says conserving water is necessary to support the Bell County Water Control Improvement District No. 1, which is the city's water supplier, the city said in the release.
The city warns that water consumption is in "extremely high demand" and without conserving water, there could be temporary water shortages in the city.
Here's how you can help: City of Belton initiates Stage 2 Drought Conditions in hopes to conserve water
1 p.m.
The City of Temple is establishing water distribution locations for people who are in desperate need of water.
Water will be available beginning at 2 p.m. Friday at:
- Central Fire Station, 210 N. 3rd St.
- Fire Station #2, 1710 E. Ave H.
- Mayborn Civic & Convention Center, 3303 N. 3rd St.
Noon
Marlin residents can go to H-E-B to receive a case of water. The water is limited to one case per car and it's first-come first-serve.
If you received a case of water Thursday, you're asked to not return on Friday so that the water can help families that do not have any water at all.
11 a.m.
The City of Killeen established a water filling station Friday for the thousands of people who remain without water.
The water filling station is at 805 West Jasper Dr. It was set to open from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and again from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
8 a.m.
Due to an unexpected water main break, a boil water notice is now in effect for City of Temple water customers east of I-35. Crews with the Public Works department have found the break and are currently working to repair the break.
Thursday, Feb. 18 Updates
8 p.m.
Planned operating hours for all Magnolia properties:
Friday, Feb. 19
- Magnolia Market, Magnolia Home, and Shops at the Silos: open noon to 5 p.m.
- Magnolia Press: open noon to 5 p.m.
- Silos Baking Co., LSOB, and Magnolia Table will remain closed.
Saturday, Feb. 20
- Magnolia Market, Magnolia Home, and Shops at the Silos: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Magnolia Press: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Silos Baking Co., LSOB, and Magnolia Table will remain closed.
Monday, Feb. 22
- All Magnolia properties will be open.
7 p.m.
Effective immediately, the City of Hewitt is making an emergency request for water conservation. Conserving now will help to avoid potential mandatory water restrictions. This is only a request for conserving water and in no way is the quality of the water in question. This is not a boil water notice.
5:30 p.m.
Waco Mayor Dillon Meeks warned Wacoans on Thursday that the city's water supply is "critically low."
"We are currently pumping all we can but the main problems we’re facing right now are leaks and high usage," he said. "We are pumping twice our normal daily usage and the system’s storage is sitting at a critically lose capacity."
Watch his video message: 'Our water supply is critically low': Waco mayor warns leaks, high water usage could threaten fire department
3:30 p.m.
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center's primary care clinics, COVID-19 vaccine site, COVID-19 testing sites and patient services will be closed Friday, Feb. 19 due to hazardous road conditions. The hospital remains open for emergency services, inpatient care, and labor and delivery services
RELATED: List | Vaccine cancellations
2:30 p.m.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our public water system Gause WSC, PWS ID 1660008, to notify customers to boil their water prior to consumption after service is restored.
11 a.m.
Fort Hood officials haven't issued a boil water advisory, saying water quality is still within standards and is being constantly monitored.
Officials, however, are asking peole to help conserve water with a goal of reducing water use by 40 percent.
Tips for water conservation include:
1. Report leaking or broken pipes to the Directorate of Public Works at (254) 287-2113.
2. Turn off dripping faucets when the temperature reaches 30 degrees. Only resume dripping when the temperature drops below 30 degrees.
3. Drip faucets into containers, especially pots, in case boil water notices are needed.
4. Avoid using washing machines and dishwashers, as these appliances use a significant amount of water.
5. Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for hygiene purposes.
Water supply is barely meeting demand. Please conserve as much water as possible.
A boil water notice was issued for Bruceville-Eddy Water Department and Central Texas Water Supply Corporation, effective Feb. 18 until further notice.
Customers of Central Texas Water Supply Corporation include Armstrong WSC, BMF WSC, Town of Buckholts, Bell County WCID #5, a small portion of Belton, Dog Ridge WSC, East Bell WSC, Holland, Jarrell-Schwertner WSC, Kempner WSC, Little Elm WSC, City of Lott, Mooreville WSC, O & B WSC, City of Rogers, City of Rosebud, Salem Elm Ridge WSC, West Bell WSC, Westphalia WSC and portions of Salado WSC.
10:15 a.m.
ERCOT said it made significant progress overnight restoring power, but outages remain throughout the state.
“We’re to the point in the load restoration where we are allowing transmission owners to bring back any load they can related to this load shed event,” said ERCOT Senior Director of System Operations Dan Woodfin. “We will keep working around the clock until every single customer has their power back on.”
Customers who remain without power likely fall into one of these three categories:
- Areas out due to ice storm damage on the distribution system
- Areas that were taken out of service due to the energy emergency load shed that need to be restored manually (i.e., sending a crew to the location to reenergize the line)
- Large industrial facilities that voluntarily went offline to help during this energy emergency
8 a.m.
Solid Waste crews with the City of Temple Solid Waste will resume garbage collections starting this morning. As a reminder, Recycling will not be collected this week. Here's a look at the changes:
If you have a water leak and need to turn off your main water valve, but don't know how, watch this short "How To" video for instructions.
One year ago: Central Texas blanketed with snow in 2021
