Overnight and early Tuesday morning, Brownwood area residents experienced unusual winter thunderstorms with rain, then mixed precipitation that led to accumulation of sleet and snow closing area schools and businesses and causing many hazardous road conditions.
Roads in and around Brownwood had a layer of ice and in some areas snow that caused many traffic accidents on area highways. A major wreck was reported on Hwy 279 before 8:00am as well as several cars sliding off highways and needing wreckers to pull their vehicles out of ditches and up steep embankments. At “Days Hill”, motorists were reported to have traction problems climbing the hill as well as some even making the curve after Day’s Hill on Hwy 279.
In town, police and other emergency personnel were busy clearing up fender benders and even nearly getting hit by reckless motorists. One interesting problem was the Vine Street underpass, near the Depot, where three vehicles reportedly got stuck because they were unable to get traction to drive out of the underpass area. Shortly after 10:30am, a one vehicle rollover was reported at Hwy 279 and FM 2492.
Because of such conditions, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are encouraging travelers to delay or cancel travel in the Big Country Area for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday. Freezing temperatures were reached over night Monday and may not reach above freezing until as late as Friday. Roadways that might slightly thaw and turn to slush today and tomorrow will turn icy overnight as temperatures plunge into single digits.
Texas DPS officials issued a statement reminding motorists of the dangers associated with driving in icy weather.
Overpasses and bridges are always the first to freeze. Black ice looks the same as wet roadway; however it is a sheet of ice that forms over the roadway causing problems for unsuspecting travelers. TxDOT trucks and personnel were ready and are applying magnesium chloride to roadways. The Texas Highway Patrol Troopers are out in force, ready and responding.
“All area roadways may be hazardous to travel. But we want to remind motorists of past weather related problems with the IH-20 Ranger Hill area in Eastland County. Please be prepared for possible delays!” stated Sparky Dean, Senior Trooper Texas Highway Patrol. “All area roadways should be considered hazardous to travel. Long delays have been reported on several roadways.”
Another dangerous situation that can occur is a near white out. This condition is caused by snow blowing across an already frozen roadway, causing the driver to lose sight of other vehicles and even the traffic lane. With the already frozen roadway, traffic markings are not visible.
DPS officials also advise travelers to check area weather conditions on radio or television, and social media before starting a trip. Motorists can call TxDOT’s toll-free highway conditions line at 800-452-9292 or log onto
