Texas roadways have turned into treacherous ice rinks as a winter storm grips large portions of the state, leaving motorists stranded and emergency crews working around the clock. A massive 20-vehicle pileup on Interstate 10 has created a 60-mile backup, highlighting the dangerous conditions facing drivers who venture out.
An Ice Storm Warning remains in effect for parts of North Texas through Sunday at noon, with a Winter Storm Warning covering North and Central Texas during the same period. Even more concerning, an Extreme Cold Warning will continue through Tuesday noon, meteorologists caution.
Emergency Response in Full Swing
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has activated state emergency response resources, including TxDOT winter weather roadway equipment and crews, the State of Texas Incident Management Team, and Texas National Guard units. It’s a full-court press as officials try to keep Texans safe during what’s becoming an increasingly dangerous situation.
“The conditions right now are a little bit challenging. We had several inches of snow and ice fall overnight, and our crews have been out there, and they will continue to be out there. We’ve been in 12 hour shifts for about 5 days straight now just treating the roadways, clearing the roadways,” a TxDOT spokesperson explained.
How bad is it on the ground? In one particularly severe incident, a 20-vehicle pileup on I-10 at mile marker 470 has caused a staggering 60-mile backup stretching from Bernie to Junction. The highway remains closed at mile marker 477, with multiple lanes shut down due to jackknifed vehicles, according to footage from the scene.
Tracking Road Conditions
For Texans who absolutely must travel — though officials strongly advise against it — there are several ways to monitor road conditions. The Drive Texas website provides real-time highway conditions and closures, or residents can call the automated 24-hour hotline at (800) 452-9292 for the latest updates.
In the Houston area, Houston TranStar is reporting numerous icy roadway locations. TxDOT has also published a map showing icy road locations and other hazards across the region, which officials are updating as conditions change.
TxDOT crews aren’t just monitoring the situation — they’re actively battling it. They’re using a multi-step process to clear roadways, methodically treating and scraping ice lane by lane. It’s slow, painstaking work, especially with several inches of snow and ice accumulated in some areas.
Still, the agency’s message remains consistent: stay home if possible. TxDOT advises that even with their best efforts, roads remain dangerous during snow and ice events. Those who must drive should use extreme caution, reduce speeds dramatically, and avoid sudden braking or accelerating.
As temperatures remain below freezing and precipitation continues to fall in parts of the state, this winter emergency shows no signs of quick resolution. For now, the safest road in Texas might be the one not taken at all.
