Major winter storm to bring ice, snow to Cooke County this weekend

GAINESVILLE, Texas — A massive winter storm bearing down on the central and eastern United States will bring significant ice and snow to Cooke County beginning late Friday, with forecasters warning the impact could rival that of a hurricane. The National Weather Service has placed more than 177 million people under ice and snow watches or warnings, with an additional 200 million under cold weather advisories. North Texas sits squarely in the storm's path. Cooke County can expect a quarter to half-inch of ice accumulation, with areas near the Red River potentially seeing up to three-quarters of an inch. Snow and sleet totals of 1-3 inches are forecast, with amounts near 5 inches possible in northern portions of the county along the Oklahoma border. Precipitation is expected to begin late Friday in Texas and Oklahoma, with the worst conditions forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Arctic air following the storm will bring dangerous wind chill temperatures. The Texas Department of Transportation has pre-treated roads with salt brine in preparation for the storm. The Highway Patrol has canceled trooper days off and partnered with the National Guard to assist stranded motorists. Utility companies have deployed thousands of employees to maintain power and respond to outages. Forecasters warn that significant ice accumulation could cause widespread, prolonged power outages and tree damage across the region. Houston schools announced Friday closings with e-learning, and districts across North Texas are monitoring conditions closely. Residents should finalize storm preparations immediately, including stocking supplies and ensuring backup heating sources are ready. Those who must travel should inform someone of their route and expected arrival time. For emergency updates, monitor local media and the Cooke County emergency management channels.