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A winter storm covered Texas County in ice Sunday, disrupting electrical service and closing schools.
By evening, roads were slick and fire departments were responding to calls of limbs on electrical lines.
Here’s a roundup of the latest news:
HIGHWAY CONDITIONS DETERIORATE
Icy roadways are reported in many locations in the county, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is reporting.
DOWNED TREES, LIMBS CAUSING ISSUES
At 8 p.m. – Fire departments are responding to numerous calls on limbs hanging on power lines. About 1,040 Intercounty customers are without power.
At 5:25 p.m., the Houston Fire Department was sent to North Street, where a tree was reported on a line.
At about the same time, the Roby Fire Department was called to Highway AH, where a tree was reported down between Weber Road and Arrington’s.
CANCELLATIONS, POSTPONEMENTS
•The Texas County Circuit Clerk’s office will be closed Monday, Jan. 6,
2025, due to inclement weather.
•Due to severe weather and road conditions, normal operations on Fort Leonard Wood for Monday, Jan. 6, have been suspended for all personnel who are not critical and or essential.
•No school tomorrow at Success, Summersville, Licking Head Start, Houston Head Start, Raymondville, Houston, Licking. (Cabool doesn’t attend on Mondays; Plato was not to return from its break until Tuesday)
•All TCMH clinics in Houston, Licking, Mountain Grove and Cabool will be closed tomorrow. Patients affected will be called on Tuesday to reschedule.
•Texas County Library locations will be closed Monday.
•Trash service in Houston will not run Monday.
LATEST ON POWER OUTAGES
More than 1,200 are without power in Intercounty Electric’s service area in Texas County at about 2:50 p.m. Nearly half are in the northeastern part of the county and in the Elk Creek area. Within minutes, the count dropped to about 500.
City of Houston power customers can report electrical outages by calling Houston City Hall at 417-967-3348, press 2 for emergency services and stay on the line, officials said Sunday at mid-afternoon.
THE LATEST WEATHER FORECAST
SOME OUTAGES OCCURRING
Intercounty Electric was reporting 237 outages in Texas County at 12:55 p.m.
TREE, LIMB DAMAGE REPORTED
There have been some reports of icy limbs hanging over streets. One area that saw work was on Chestnut Street between Hamrick and King in Houston.
A tree fell and caused significant damage at the Gary and Susan Hale residence north of Houston. A truck sustained damage, it was reported. No one was hurt. A fund has been established.
HELP AVAILABLE
The Houston School District is partnering with many agencies to assist students and families.
Additionally, it can make accommodations for a warming center to be available, if needed.
To receive a quick response, message its Facebook page or email communications@houston.k12.mo.us.
UTILITIES
In the City of Houston, ice was in trees and shrubs, and streets and highways remained clear, for the most part.
In Intercounty Electric Cooperative Association’s service area, there were very few outages. (As of 10 a.m. Sunday)
HIGHWAYS
The Missouri Department of Transportation is reporting highways nearly clear in Texas County. It is showing a section of U.S. 63 near the Phelps-Texas County line as partly covered. (As of 10 a.m.)
CHURCHES
Most reported that services would be canceled for Jan. 5. Some choose to broadcast live streams to allow congregation members to avoid the elements.
WEATHER SERVICE BRIEFING
A 10:25 a.m. briefing from the National Weather Service in Springfield.
Have news or a cancelation to report? Email news@houstonherald.com.
