Cities all over North Texas are preparing for the cold and the possibility of slick roads early Friday.
Fort Worth's fleet of public works trucks loaded up with sand and salt Thursday. They hadn't actually hit the roads by Thursday evening, but were ready to roll when needed.
Texas Department of Transportation crews started early, though, covering approximately 1,100 bridges and overpasses in Tarrant County between Tuesday through Thursday.
TxDOT has 140 trucks and 225 staffers ready to ward off any slick roads that could develop overnight, and Fort Worth's public works department is taking a similarly cautious approach.
The city has 20 trucks on standby already filled with sand and salt, and even more can be called in if needed. A city spokesman said they have enough sand and salt for a multi-day weather event, but they don't expect to need nearly that much.
In an average winter, the city uses about 2,500 tons of sand and salt. They haven't had to use any this winter yet, but every city crew is on standby in case this is the first night they're needed.
The city's other top priority is the protecting the community's homeless, many of whom will be staying at the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County.
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The union collaborates with the other big shelters in Fort Worth. They'll be talking with each other all night and referring folks wherever there's still open space.
City buses will actually go out Thursday evening to find people living on the streets and take them to the shelters. If they all fill up, the city will open an extra overflow shelter in a rec center.
Folks who work with the homeless every day say they're struck by the number of new faces coming in.
"We're seeing an increase in the number of people who are out on the streets. People who historically had been the lower-middle class, who were living paycheck to paycheck, who because of the economy and other issues, now find themselves homeless for their very first cold winter," said Keith Ackerman, chief operations officer for Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County.
"For those individuals it's pretty humbling. A lot of them don't know what to ask or say. So when we see people looking a little lost, that's where our staff steps in and asks what their needs are. 'OK, you're here with us now, where are you going tomorrow?'" Ackerman added.
