UPDATED 3:29 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1 - An Ice Storm Warning is in effect until 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2. Freezing rain is expected to begin around 10 a.m. Wednesday with a sudden and dangerous transition expected on roadways as soon as precipitation begins. Up to 0.5 inch of ice accumulation is possible. Power outages due to fallen power lines and tree branches may occur. Prepare now by charging devices, having flashlights easily accessible and preparing generators if you have one.
Facility closures
To help ensure the safety of visitors and staff, all City of Allen facilities will remain closed to the public through Thursday, Feb. 2. Any additional impact to City of Allen facility hours/operations will be posted below and on the City of Allen's Facebook page.
- Allen City Hall: The City Hall complex is closed to the public on Wednesday and Thursday. Staff is available by phone and email, and many services can be completed online.
- Allen Municipal Court: All in-person dockets scheduled for Jan. 30-Feb. 2 will be rescheduled for the next available date. Virtual dockets will proceed as scheduled. Citizens can still make payments, submit documents and complete other services online on the Municipal Court website. Staff are available to answer phones and emails during normal business hours.
- Allen Public Library: Closed on Wednesday and Thursday. No materials due during this time.
- Allen Animal Shelter: Closed to the public on Wednesday and Thursday. For animal control concerns, please contact 214.509.4378 or use the MyAllen app to report common issues.
- Allen Parks & Recreation facilities: Allen Community Ice Rink, Allen Senior Recreation Center, Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center, Joe Farmer Recreation Center, The Edge and The Courses at Watters Creek are closed Wednesday and Thursday.
- Allen Police Department Records Unit: Office closed to the public on Wednesday. Please email policerecords@cityofallen.org or call 214.509.4350 to leave a message.
Waste Services delays
- Trash/Recycling Collection: Community Waste Disposal (CWD) plans to resume trash collections Thursday afternoon as weather permits. Thursday and Friday routes will be collected on Thursday (2/2), Friday (2/3) and Saturday (2/4). Recycling pickup may experience additional delays. Residents should leave carts out until collected. Customers whose collections were skipped on Tuesday or Wednesday will be allowed to place up to five tied and sturdy trash bags next to their carts for next week's collection (2/7-2/8). Please keep all trash and recycling at the curb until collection occurs. If you suspect your home was skipped in error, please call CWD at 972.392.9300 (option 2) or complete an online customer service form. Monthly bulky waste, loose brush and cardboard collections scheduled for Saturday, 2/4 will be rescheduled to next Saturday, 2/11.
- HHW Collection: Customers with HHW collection scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 31 or Wednesday, Feb. 1 will be rescheduled.
Road conditions and pre-treatment
The City of Allen gives priority attention to bridges, intersections and main thoroughfares when preparing for potentially icy conditions. The City does not have the resources to treat all residential/neighborhood streets during snow and ice events. If you must travel during icy conditions, drive slowly and allow for extra travel time.
Pipes at risk due to prolonged cold
A long duration of below freezing temperatures may damage exposed outdoor pipes and cause them to burst. Cover outdoor pipes, and leave indoor faucets on a very slow drip. Locate your water shut-off valve and know how to turn it off, and don't forget to turn off sprinklers! You can report water/sewer leaks and request an emergency water shutoff by calling our 24-hour Water/Sewer Emergency Line at 214.509.4530.
VIDEO: How to locate your water shutoff valve and turn off water at the meter
Note: These same steps may be used for all City of Allen residential meters, including new smart water meters.
Know how to report power outages
Don't call 9-1-1 if your power goes out! Contact your power company to report the outage using the information found on your monthly statement. If you see fallen power lines on a road, alley or sidewalk, call 9-1-1 before contacting the power company.
- CoServ: Report power outages by texting OUT to 855.938.3496. You can get updates on the outage by texting STATUS to the same number. You can also call 844.330.0762 and bookmark CoServ.com/OutageMap for estimated restoration times and other updates.
- ONCOR: Report an outage to Oncor by calling 888.313.4747, by texting OUT to 66267 or by downloading the Oncor mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can also view Oncor's outage map or enroll in Oncor alerts to get current information about outages and restoration times.
- GCEC: Report power outages by texting OUT to 855.939.3826. You can get updates on the outage by texting STATUS to the same number. You can report an outage by completing a New Outage Form online and can view the Outage Map for status updates.
Overnight warming shelters
The Salvation Army offers two overnight warming shelters in Collin County. Check the status of the McKinney warming shelter (600 Wilson Creek Pkwy., McKinney) by calling 214-945-4637. The Plano overnight warming shelter (3528 14th St., Plano) can be reached at 972-423-8254.
Stay connected for closure, emergency information
CityofAllen.org is the primary source of closure and emergency information for the City of Allen. Citizens can also enroll in Hyper-Reach Emergency Notifications to get rapid alerts about urgent situations with a telephone call, text and/or email message. During emergencies, the primary social media channel used to share information is the City of Allen Facebook page.