During this severe weather event, things are changing quickly. We are working with our local partners to get updated information as quickly as possible, and we will share this information with our residents as it becomes available. There’s a lot that the City of Coppell doesn’t know – and there’s even more that’s out of our control – but we are dedicated to keeping you informed.
No matter what, we’re here to serve our community. Many of our employees are experiencing the same power and connectivity issues that our residents are facing, but we have reorganized and have employees working unusual shifts to ensure that we can continue to provide necessary services.
How to Stay Informed
We know many of you have questions, and we’re working to be more transparent in our communication. These updates will continue to go out regularly throughout the remainder of the weather event. Please keep in mind, we don’t have all of the answers. We’ll be sure to be clear about what we know and what we don’t. The situation is changing rapidly, so please also follow the City’s other communication platforms for the most up-to-date information:
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding the severe winter weather event. Read through the FAQs.
Here are the latest updates:
February 18, 5:00 pm
Have questions? Need water shut off or other assistance? Call us!
The City of Coppell’s main line, 972-462-0022, will be manned by staff and available to residents 24/7 until further notice. While the other phone numbers previously published will still be answered, residents in need of water shut off are encouraged to call 972-462-0022 for assistance. Operators are also available to answer general questions and provide updated information. In the event of an emergency, call 911.
Learn how to shut your water off
In the event of a broken water pipe, it’s important to shut off your water as soon as possible. The City has put together an instructional video explaining how to open your water meter lid and turn off your water. Watch the video to learn what to do!
If you need assistance turning off your water, we are here to help! Please contact the City at 972-462-0022 for assistance. This line will be manned by staff 24/7 until further notice.
Hard Freeze Warning Tonight
The National Weather Service has issued a hard freeze warning for our area in effect from 9 pm tonight to 9 am Friday morning.
Residents should expect very cold temperatures. Hard freeze conditions will result in damage to exposed pipes, and additional water main breaks are possible.
Any ice that melts on roads during the day today will re-freeze, leading to dangerous travel conditions tonight.
Take steps now to make plans for how you will remain warm tonight. To prevent additional freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes, they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.
Covid-19 Vaccinations at Fair Park
Dallas County’s Fair Park vaccine operations will resume on Sunday, February 21 from 1 - 6 pm. Dallas County will be providing second doses to those who were due for their second dose on or before Friday, February 12. If you last name starts with the letters A-M, the County asks that you arrive between 1 – 3:30 pm on Sunday. If your last name starts with the letters N-Z, please arrive between 3:30 – 6 pm.
On Monday, February 22, Fair Park will be open from 8 am – 5 pm and providing second doses to those due on or before Saturday, February 13. For those arriving on Monday, please plan to come around the same time you received your first dose.
For more information, visit the Dallas County Covid-19 Vaccination website.
City Facility Closures
All City of Coppell facilities, with the exception of the CORE, will be closed to the public on Friday, February 19.
February 18, 2:30 pm
Warming Center Opens at Coppell YMCA
Select YMCAs in the metroplex, including the Coppell Family YMCA, have opened their doors to those in the community without power and/or water as a safe place to warm up from 10 am - 5:30 pm daily through Friday, February 19. For more information, visit the YMCA website.
Trash and Recycling Collection
Republic Services has announced that they will be unable to resume residential trash and recycling pickup on Friday due to alleyway conditions. Republic plans to resume commercial service in order to clear inedible food from grocery store and restaurant dumpsters on Friday. Residential service is expected to resume on Monday.
Food Safety
With extended power outages comes the chance of spoiled food. As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after four hours without power.
Stay off the ice!
Your ponds and pools may LOOK frozen, but the ice is not very thick. Please be cautious and stay OFF any iced-over bodies of water.
Carbon Monoxide Safety
Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Read more about carbon monoxide safety.
February 18, 12:30 pm
Water Line Break at Denton Tap & Sandy Lake
Coppell Public Works is working to repair an 8” water line break at the Denton Tap and Sandy Lake intersection. City crews have isolated the break and turned off water to the area. As a result. some businesses may be temporarily without water service. Crews will complete the repair as soon as possible, likely Friday or Saturday.
No water? Need a Shower?
The warming center at The CORE has showers available for residents who do not have access to water. Showers are limited. Please call 972-304-7032 to reserve a time to utilize the showers and locker room facilities. The CORE also has the ability to fill bottles or jugs with water if there is a need for drinking water or to flush toilets.
February 18, 10:30 am
Water Usage – Please Conserve!
The City is requesting that residents and businesses only use water when necessary. This request is due to a combination of electric power impacts to our pumping facilities and the power and weather impacts to our provider, Dallas Water Utilities. At this point, the City is still able to continue to provide water to all customers, but we need your help in ensuring that continues! Thank you for your conservation efforts and understanding!
Tips to save water until freezing temperatures end:
- Flush toilets only when necessary (40% of indoor use)
- Wait to do laundry (up to 40 gallons per load)
- Wait to wash dishes/run only full loads (15 gallons per load)
- Take very short showers (20% of indoor use)
It's okay to let faucets drip to prevent frozen pipes, but it’s even better if you capture some of the water for other uses!
The City is NOT under a boil water notice. There is no need to hoard water. This will only serve to strain the system further.
Water Leaks
With frozen pipes beginning to burst, the City has received an influx of calls. If you need assistance turning off your water, please leave a detailed message with your name, phone number, address, and issue at one of the numbers below. We are currently unable to answer all of the calls, but we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Normal work hours assistance:
- 972-462-5150
- 972-462-5156
- 972-462-5155
- 972-462-5157
- 972-304-3679
After-hours assistance:
- 972-462-5150
- 972-304-3610 (Non-emergency line)
Plumbing Permits & Repairs
In these unprecedented cold temperatures, we are aware that many of our residents are in need of plumbing repairs. Permits and inspections are important to ensure that the repairs are done correctly and performed by a qualified, licensed plumber. The law requires it to help keep you protected! In an effort to serve your permitting needs better, Building Inspections staff is working to process your plumbing permit applications and schedule inspections as quickly as possible. Visit the Building Inspections page for more information.
Road Conditions & Driving Safety
If you do have to get out on the roads, please be careful and drive with caution. Due to intermittent power outages, the City has switched all traffic signals to flash red. Drivers should treat all intersections as an all-way stop.
To check current road conditions, visit drivetexas.org.
Beware of falling ice!
As temperatures continue to slowly climb over the next couple of days, ice and snow accumulated on roofs, trees, and towers will melt and fall. Be extra careful under roof edges, awnings, trees, and guy wires!
February 18, 8:25 am
Power Outage Update
Here’s the latest, directly from Oncor:
02.18.21, 8 am: “Yesterday, ERCOT directed Oncor and other utilities to begin restoring power previously dropped from the electric grid. As a result of the increased generation and stable demand, Oncor has since been able to cease controlled, or rotating, outages.
“As of 5:30 a.m. this morning, there are approximately 150,000 remaining Oncor customers without power. This is a result of damage from yesterday’s winter storm, previous winter weather and storm damage that could not be identified until equipment was re-energized, and damage to electric equipment caused by record-breaking low temperatures.
“Our personnel will continue working 24/7 to restore power to these remaining customers. We recognize the hardships that this power emergency has caused for our customers and communities. We appreciate their patience as we awaited the return of electric generation and protected the Texas electric grid.
“Due to the large amounts of system activity surrounding power restoration, we expect it will take some time for our tracking systems to accurately reflect these updates in our outage map. In addition, we will continue to follow the direction of ERCOT should electric generation change and immediately take steps to inform our customers of any updates.”
February 17, 8:30 pm
Coppell is NOT under a water boil notice
While many of our neighbors are being asked to boil water, the City of Coppell is NOT under a boil water notice. The City has requested that residents and businesses only use water when necessary in order to ensure that we can continue to provide service. We will inform residents immediately of any updates. Thank you for your conservation efforts and understanding!
Power Outage Update
There are currently about 400,000 residents without power in the Oncor system. An estimated 2,600 Coppell residents are without power.
Here’s the latest update, direct from Oncor:
02.17.21, 8 pm: “Even with increased capability, we still have many customers who are still experiencing extended outages. We continue to strive toward providing any temporary relief that we can for those who have been without power the longest. Due to lowered power demand last night, Oncor and other utilities were able to restore some of the previously dropped power load and increased our capability to rotate some outages throughout the territory. We gained some MWs (megawatts) overnight but are back to ERCOT required load shed.
“While weather impacts are ongoing, personnel and out of state mutual assistance contractors were staged across the territory before the storm and are now actively engaged in restoration efforts. These personnel are well experienced in working in extreme weather conditions and will be working around the clock to assess damages, clear debris and repair damaged equipment.”
Warming Center
The warming center at The CORE, 234 Parkway Blvd., is open 24/7. All visitors utilizing the warming center are requested to wear face masks and practice appropriate social distancing from members of other households inside the center. Please note that space and seating are limited. No cots or beds are available.
February 17, 4 pm
Natural Gas Concerns
At this time, Atmos Energy is not shutting off natural gas supply. For any questions regarding your natural gas service and/or pressure, contact Atmos Energy at 888-286-6700. Atmos Energy urges customers with power to conserve energy. Learn about the steps you can take to conserve.
Some City Forms Unavailable
With the interment power supply certain online forms will not be available over the next several days.
February 17, 2 pm
Trash and Recycling Collection
Republic Services has announced that they will be unable to resume residential trash and recycling pickup on Friday due to alleyway conditions. Republic plans to resume commercial service in order to clear inedible food from grocery store and restaurant dumpsters. Residential service is expected to resume on Monday.
Covid-19 Vaccination Operations at Fair Park
Fair Park vaccine operations will be remained closed through Saturday, February 20. Visit the Dallas County Covid-19 vaccination website for more information.
City Facility Closures
All City of Coppell facilities, with the exception of the CORE, will be closed to the public on Thursday, February 17.
February 17, 12 pm
Road Conditions & Driving Safety
If you do have to get out on the roads, please be careful and drive with caution. Due to intermittent power outages, the City has switched all traffic signals to flash red. Drivers should treat all intersections as an all-way stop.
To check current road conditions, visit drivetexas.org.
Warming Center
The City has opened The CORE, 234 Parkway Blvd., as a warming center for the residents of Coppell. All visitors utilizing the warming center are requested to wear face masks and practice appropriate social distancing from members of other households inside the center. Please note that space and seating are limited. No cots or beds are available.
Food Safety
With extended power outages comes the chance of spoiled food. As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.
Water Usage
The City is requesting that residents and businesses only use water when necessary. This request is due to a combination of electric power impacts to our pumping facilities and the power and weather impacts to our provider, Dallas Water Utilities. At this point, the City is still able to continue to provide water to all customers, but we need your help in ensuring that continues!
Water Leaks
With frozen pipes beginning to burst, the City has received an influx of calls. If you need assistance turning off your water, please leave a detailed message with your name, phone number, address, and issue at one of the numbers below. We are currently unable to answer all of the calls, but we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Normal work hours assistance:
- 972-462-5150
- 972-462-5156
- 972-462-5155
- 972-462-5157
- 972-304-3679
After-hours assistance:
- 972-462-5150
- 972-304-3610 (Non-emergency line)
Power Outages
At this time, Oncor and ERCOT are unable to predict when grid conditions will stabilize and urge all customers to be prepared for extended outages to continue. If you are in need, please visit our warming center at The CORE, 234 Parkway Blvd. The center provides heat, restrooms and power outlets ONLY.
Here’s the latest update, directly from Oncor:
02.17.2021, 9:05 am – “There continues to be a lack of available generation, and as a result, controlled outages remain in place as directed by ERCOT. Due to lowered power demand overnight, Oncor and other utilities were able to restore some of the previously dropped power load and increase our capability to rotate some outages throughout the territory. Even with this increased capability, we still have many customers who continue to experience extended outages. We continue to strive toward providing any temporary relief that we can for those who have been without power the longest as soon as enough generation is available. However, as we saw yesterday, low temperatures of the early morning and increased power demand may result in direction from ERCOT to once again reduce additional load. We will continue to take their direction as we focus on ensuring the integrity of the electric grid.”
Be Safe!
- Your ponds and pools may LOOK frozen, but the ice is not very thick. Please be cautious and stay OFF any iced-over bodies of water.
- Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper – or even outside near an open window. Read more about carbon monoxide safety.