Winter is coming
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The weekend gave us a taste of winter, and this week's milder temperatures offer a chance to prepare your home for longer stretches of cold weather.
Driving the news: The winter season officially starts Dec. 21 and ends March 20.
The big picture: North Texas sees fewer consecutive days of below-normal winter temperatures than the region did decades ago.
Threat level: Ice storms, cold snaps, hail and winter storms are projected to cause more than $754 million in losses in Texas and $106 million in losses in Dallas every year, per the DMN.
- Dallas, Tarrant and Denton counties are at "very high" risk of losses due to winter weather, per FEMA's National Risk Index.
Zoom in: Here are some tips from the Texas Department of Insurance to prepare your home for winter weather.
📄 Check your coverage: Check your home insurance coverage in advance so you know what will or won't be covered. For example, a damaged irrigation system might not be covered.
🚰 Secure the exterior pipes. Drain and switch off your lawn sprinkler system. Attach insulated covers to outdoor faucets. Many local stores run out of these as it gets colder.
💨 Check for safety. Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. Know where your water shutoff valve is.
🪜 Zip it. Check your attic insulation and seal any cracks around your bathroom and kitchen pipes.
🪵 Clean the chimney. Inspect and clean your chimney and furnace.
🧳 Prep before travel. If you're planning to leave town during a cold snap, turn off your water supply at the shutoff valve and make sure the heat stays on.