GRAYSON COUNTY,TX--Texoma hasn't seen a very harsh winter, in fact, it's been relatively warm. The groundhog saw his shadow at the first of the month and it looks like he was right. Winter is about to hit.
The biggest concern are roadways. The Texas Department of Transportation has crews getting equipment ready and trucks loaded just in case roads get slick. Although, be careful, TXDOT can't treat the roads before snow and ice accumulate.
" We wait until there's a reasonable amount of accumulation and then the crews get out there and start spreading the material." Says Noel Paranatham of TXDOT.
They says that bridges and higher roadways tend to freeze first so be extra careful.
" The bridges are the first ones to freeze over and especially the structures north on U.S. 75 close to the Red River bridge. That's where it freezes first, so we'll have a crew there first and make our way south from that location. " Says Noel.
While TXDOT works on the main roadways in the area they say to treat your driveways.
" If you do have salt, go ahead and apply it to your driveways and it has to be applied maybe an hour before you leave so that it can start working. Maybe cat litter would work as well. " Says Noel.
On top of treating your driveways or the areas near your home TXDOT says there are a few things to keep in mind, like making sure your tires get optimum traction.
" Sometimes you may want to take a little bit of air our of your tire, because that gives you a little bit more traction so those are the few things you may want to do but the most important thing is to drive slow." Says Noel.
Above all else TXDOT recommends that if conditions get bad on the roadways, your safest bet is to stay put and keep off the roads.
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