NEWS RELEASE
For Release: Jan. 9, 2025
CONTACT: Greg Sowell, Communications Director, City of Richardson, 972-744-4218 (office), 972-897-2762 (cell), [email protected]
Solid waste and hours of operation for facilities continue to be impacted, and Saturday will serve as a makeup collection day for missed Thursday and Friday recycling routes.
(Richardson, TX) – Due to continuing severe winter weather, the City of Richardson will close all City facilities at 3 p.m. today and has canceled collection of residential solid waste Friday. Additionally, all City facilities will delay opening until 12 p.m. (noon) tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 10). A makeup day for residential recycling collection for Thursday and Friday routes missed this week is set for Saturday.
RESIDENTIAL TRASH / RECYCLING / BRUSH AND BULKY ITEM COLLECTION (BABIC)
All Friday residential solid waste collection, which includes trash/recycling/BABIC, is canceled due to icy road conditions and the closure of facilities that process the City’s solid waste. Collection is delayed or suspended when conditions make it unsafe for vehicles to navigate alleys or create a risk of injury to personnel during the collection process.
Saturday has been designated as a makeup Recycling collection day for Thursday and Friday collection routes missed this week due to severe winter weather.
Collection of solid waste is expected to resume its normal schedule Monday, Jan. 13.
For up-to-date information on solid waste collection, visit www.cor.net/ServiceDelays.
COMMERCIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
Commercial solid waste collection is currently postponed and will resume Saturday, or as soon as road conditions safely allow. These operations are less prone to severe winter weather impacts due to receptacles being located in open areas and an automated system, which enables a single operator to collect materials without exiting the vehicle.
FACILITY SERVICE IMPACT Information
The following City facilities will open at 12 p.m. (noon) tomorrow:
- Animal Shelter
- City Hall and City Hall Annex
- Eisemann Center
- Gymnastics Center
- All classes canceled
- Heights Recreation Center
- Huffhines Recreation Center
- Huffhines Tennis Center
- Public Library
- Ray Noah Municipal Court
- Senior Center
- Service Center
- The IQ® HQ
The Sherrill Park Golf Course will be closed tomorrow, and the pro shop will open Saturday for t-time reservations. Normal play will resume Sunday, as weather allows.
Other Impacts
Public Meetings Scheduled for Thursday:
All public meetings scheduled for today have been canceled. Any updates regarding rescheduling will be posted in their usual location.
Protection for Frozen Pipes
Anyone who experiences frozen pipes should shut off the main water supply to the property. For residential properties, the main water shut off valve should be located along an outside wall of the house. It is typically located next to the house’s main water meter.
- If you cannot turn off the main water supply to your house, call the City of Richardson’s 24-hour Response Line at 972-744-4111.
- Once the water has been shut off, open all faucets in the house to reduce pressure on the pipes and minimize flooding if the pipes burst.
- If you can access the frozen pipe you can attempt to thaw it by using a hair dryer or space heater. You should never use an open flame.
- Examine exposed pipes for leaks, which may appear as the lines begin to thaw.
- Contact a professional plumber to inspect and make necessary repairs to the frozen pipes.
Warming Centers
The City is offering three 24-hour warming centerslocated in the lobbies at the following locations:
- Richardson Police Department Administration Building
200 N. Greenville Ave.
- Richardson Fire Department Station 3
500 W. Lookout Dr.
- Richardson Fire Department Station 6
3591 Park Vista Rd.
(NOTE: Warming centers are intended to provide temporary shelter and are not equipped with beds or other long-term amenities. Service animals are allowed, but not pets.)
STREET MAINTENANCE
Street Maintenance crews from the Public Services Department are working around-the-clock to spread a mixture of sand and ice-melt on high priority areas—bridges, major roads, intersections, and hospital driveways. School zones are sanded upon special request. The treatment increases vehicle traction, but drivers are still urged to drive cautiously.
Street sweeper crews will begin operations to collect all sand spread throughout a storm event as soon as possible at the conclusion of severe weather impacts. It usually takes several weeks to complete cleanup operations.
Utilities
ONCOR (Electricity)
888-313-4747 – Report Outage Online
Notify the Texas electric delivery service, ONCOR, immediately to report a power outage by phone at 888-313-4747 or visit the ONCOR website. Have your ESID and ZIP code ready (your ESID is on your electric bill). You can pre-register your location by texting “reg” to 66267 (ONCOR).
To prevent secondary outages, reduce initial demand once power has been restored by adjusting thermostats and turning off lights. Leave on your porch light to let working crews know when power has been restored.
ATMOS (Gas)
866-322-8667 – Atmos Storm Center
If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and from a safe distance call 911 and the Atmos Energy emergency number at 866-322-8667.
Call the ATMOS 24/7 emergency line if you suspect a natural gas leak or have a service issue after hours such as a damaged or inaccessible meter and/or an unexpected service interruption at 866-322-8667.
Natural Gas Safety Information:
- Never use an oven or a gas stovetop to heat your home.
- Snow and ice buildup can damage gas meters and pipes and make them difficult to reach in an emergency. Carefully remove snow and ice from meters and pipes by gently using a broom or brush.
- Make sure that external vents for dryers and other natural gas equipment are clear. Blocked vents for dryers and other gas appliances can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas.
Stay Informed
Once a winter weather event occurs, you can keep up on impacts to services on the City’s social media channels and news outlets.
Online: www.cor.net/WinterWeather
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RichardsonToday/
Nextdoor: nextdoor.com/agency-detail/tx/richardson/city-of-richardson/
The City also offers an Emergency Notification System to rapidly notify residents and businesses through calls, texts, and e-mails and provide vital life safety instructions in a timely manner. Online registration is available on the City’s website at www.cor.net/Alerts.
When you receive an alert, press 1 or reply YES to acknowledge the message and stop the contact cycle.
For information and updates on the City of Richardson’s winter weather response, visit www.cor.net/winterweather.
