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Winter Storm Information
City Facilities will be CLOSING at 3 PM Wednesday, February 23, and will remain closed on Thursday, February 24, and Friday, February 25. This includes the following buildings:
- City Hall – Office staff will work remotely. Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Front line staff will be on-site and working to maintain water utilities and to provide public safety. For City Staff email and phone extensions, please visit: www.CityofFate.com/Directory
- Community Center
- Smith Family Park Restroom
- Economic Development/Main St. Office - Office staff will work remotely.
Other Closures
- Early Voting at Fate City Hall for the March Primary Election CLOSED Thursday, February 24, and delay opening until 10 AM on Friday, February 25. The hours for Friday, February 25 are from 10 AM-7 PM.
- The Curative COVID Testing site is closed Wednesday, February 23 at 1 PM and will remain closed Thursday, February 24.
- Royse City ISD - Closed Thursday, February 24
- Rockwall ISD- Closed Thursday, February 24
Stay Informed
- Take action now and download My Water Advisor, an app that allows you to monitor your water consumption and set alarms for a water leak alert. This can help give you a heads up if you have a leak in your home. Download the “My Water Advisor” app here.
- Sign up for our Nixle Emergency text message notifications by texting "RCOEM" to 888777 to get emergency information from the Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management texted to your phone.
- Register for Notify Me messages to get important City information delivered to your email or your cell phone SMS messages.
Remember the four P's - Pipes, People, Pets, and Plants
- Pipes – that run outside or under a house should be wrapped in pipe insulation to avoid cracks due to water freezing in them. This includes your water meter box in your front yard. Open the box and place old towels inside to create insulation. Dripping a faucet can also help.
- People – should dress warm and in layers, to avoid hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature).
- Pets – should be brought indoors or provided with a warm place to sleep.
- Plants – may need to be covered or brought inside to avoid frost damage.
A second winter storm has rolled into the North Texas area this year. Below are estimated changes in trash and recycling services. Please note, this may fluctuate as the weather impacts become more clear.
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - Due to unsafe road conditions, Waste Connections has stopped servicing trash and recycling carts for the day.
Thursday, February 24, 2022 - Due to unsafe road conditions, Waste Connections will not service trash and recycling carts Thursday.
Friday, February 25, 2022 - Waste Connection plans to run the Friday schedule and then service any missed trash and recycling carts from Wednesday and Thursday routes. Additionally, the bulk truck is out and servicing households.
Saturday, February 26, 2022 - Waste Connection will service any missed trash and recycling carts from Wednesday and Thursday routes.
*Please note - areas affected by the storm, will be allowed to put out extra on Wednesday. March 2.
Please Note
- Do not put your extra trash in the recycling bins.
- Please do not put extra bags of trash on top of the trash carts or extra boxes and recycling on top of the recycling carts as this inhibits the automated truck functions.
Thank you for your patience as we work to keep all crews safe during this winter storm.
TxDOT is working round the clock to keep roads safe during the winter storm.
Stay home if possible, but if you must drive, check road conditions at DriveTexas.org.
Protecting Your Pipes
- Cover your pipes with hose bib covers and place old towels in your meter boxes
- Minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Drip faucets that are along an external wall, leave cabinet doors open, and close all doors and windows to keep heat inside your homes.
Burst or Broken Pipes
- Take action now and download My Water Advisor, an app that allows you to monitor your water consumption and set alarms for a water leak alert. This can help give you a heads up if you have a leak in your home. Download the “My Water Advisor” app here.
- When the weather begins to warm up, it is possible that a water pipe inside your home could burst due to water expanding as it freezes. It is important to investigate now, what to do and where your shut-off valves are so that you can remain calm and take swift action. Working quickly, but methodically, is the best way to minimize any water damage from a plumbing leak and potential mold and mildew growth as a result of burst pipes.
Find The Water Shut-Off Valves
- Every home and business has a water shut-off valve, along with each appliance or fixture that uses water. If you don’t know where the shut-offs are located, take a few minutes to identify them in your home or business and make note of the locations. In Fate, water-shut-off valves are located near the water meters. View a short "how-to" video here.
Turn off The Electricity
- Water and electricity never mix, especially when there’s a busted pipe in the house. Turn off the electricity to the home or business at the breaker box to prevent electrocution, fires, and other hazards.
Whole House Water
- Turning off the water to an entire house or business is recommended in most situations. The whole house shut-off valve is usually on one side of the water meter. Most water meters are located outside the home near the front curb in a marked utility box. You will need an eight in (8) adjustable crescent wrench (or larger) or a water meter valve key. These tools are available at most home improvement stores. The meters turn off in the counterclockwise direction. View a short "how-to" video here.
Drain Remaining Water From Pipes & Fixtures
- Once the water and electricity are turned off, let any remaining water in the pipes and fixtures drain out. This is done by turning on hot and cold water taps and flushing all toilets. Removing the leftover water in the plumbing stops will stop the leak and allow a plumber to begin repairs
Inside your home investigate your appliances that use water.
- Clothes Washing Machine - Look behind the washing machine for the household water supply lines — the shut-off valve should be located next to the washer hoses.
- Whole House Hot Water Heater - The hot water heater should have at least one shut-off valve, located on the cold-water inlet pipe. The majority of hot water heaters also have a shut-off valve for the hot water outlet pipe, usually denoted with a red-colored handle. When this valve is closed, there will be no hot water in the entire home. Remember to turn off your gas pilot light.
- Toilet - The shut-off for the toilet is usually found under the tank and has a ribbed oval handle.
- Sink - Similar to a toilet shut-off, the sink shut-off has two handles — one for cold water, the other for hot — beneath the sink bowl or inside the cabinet or vanity.
- Dishwasher - Check under the kitchen sink for the shut-off valve. This shut-off has a reducer coupling and valve to the dishwasher and the hot water line.
Report a Power Outage
There are two power providers within the City.
If you are experiencing a power outage you may report the outage below.
- Oncor
- Customers can report outages and receive updates by registering for MyOncor text alerts by texting “REG” to 66267, downloading the MyOncor App, and following Oncor on Facebook and Twitter, or by calling 888-313-4747. If you see a downed power line, stay away, keep people away and call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Farmers Electric Cooperative
Keep these safety tips in mind: If you see a downed power line, leave the area and call 9-1-1. Also note that anything touching a power line, such as a tree branch, could also be electrified. Stay away and keep pets, children, and others away from the area.
Texas Power Switch
We all have energy on our minds right now. If you have concerns about your rates, look into Texas Power Switch. If you're in the Oncor power grid, not in a contract, or if your current contract is about to expire, you can lock in a low rate now to avoid any increases in the next few weeks and months. There is no cost to receive a quote or any obligation to accept an offer.
- Before starting to trim trees and branches, please first review this article After The Storm: Tree First Aid from Texas A&M Forest Service to make sure you are correctly trimming your tree and not damaging it further.
- Next, residents should survey the area to determine if conditions are still too icy to safely begin working around your home.
Permits are not required to remove a tree. Additionally, tree-cutting companies are not required to register with the city. Please note, permits are required if structural repairs are made to your property (roof, fence, plumbing, etc.)
Please contact your HOA for clarification on any quantity and types of required trees.
If you have property damages from falling tree limbs, be sure to contact your insurance company before starting to do work, other than work to prevent further damages. Documentation may be required.
Permits
Permits are required to ensure the safety of the work and its compliance with building and construction codes. For your protection, always hire a licensed contractor to make repairs to your home. All contractors working in the City are required to register prior to beginning work. This ensures that they are licensed. You can view all registered companies here. If you need assistance, please contact the Building Inspection Department for assistance.