Dallas needs to review winter storm response, mayor says

Mayor Eric Johnson also asks that DART, which shut down bus and rail service during the freeze, give more details about its decision.

By Everton Bailey Jr.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson says he wants an internal review of the city’s response to last week’s winter storm and more details from DART on why the agency shut down rail and bus service amid the freeze.

In a Tuesday memo to City Manager T.C. Broadnax, Johnson requested a report by Feb. 25 detailing what went right and wrong with the city’s efforts as well as areas to build on in preparation for future severe weather. The City Council would likely receive a public briefing on the report on Mar. 2.

He asked Broadnax to also involve officials from DART and electric utility Oncor in the review and council briefing. The transit agency for the first time in its history temporarily shut down all service during the storm last week.

DART spokesman Gordon Shattles said the transit agency plans to cooperate. He said DART is undergoing its own winter storm response analysis, including a review of how they notified the public of service changes.

DART stands by its decision to shut down bus and rail service last week, Shattles said, and that the safety of operators and passengers was a factor.

In addition to this year’s storm being less severe than in February 2021, the city was more prepared with plans for mass homeless shelter and warming center options. There were also plans in place for water distribution for residents.

“The stakes are simply too high for us to declare victory and move forward without reflection,” Johnson wrote. “For the sake of our residents’ well-being, we must commit to creating a culture of continuous improvement in our city government, especially when it comes to emergency responses.”

Rocky Vaz, Dallas’ emergency management office director, told The Dallas Morning News last week that though city staff have met to review last year’s winter storm response, no formal report reviewing the effort has ever been done. At least one council member, Chad West, said he asked for a report.

Dallas, like most Texas cities, was caught mostly unprepared for the fallout caused by last February’s snow, freezing temperatures and dayslong power outages caused by the state’s failing grid.

Pipes across the city froze or burst leaving properties without water or stuck with flood damage. Many were unable to leave their homes because of the snow and icy road conditions despite having no electricity.

The city opened the downtown convention center for people who needed shelter, set up water distribution sites and rented charter buses parked outside some recreation centers. People who could get to them were able to stay onboard the running vehicles for heat.

The city’s typical emergency plan of using libraries and recreation centers as warming shelters didn’t work because of the power outages. None of the buildings have backup generators and many aren’t wired to handle being powered by one.

Oncor officials publicly apologized to city leaders last March for poor communication to the public amid the widespread outages.

The City Council last September approved a $1.6 million contract to buy and install eight backup power generators for five recreation centers and three libraries, but they still haven’t arrived. City officials said it’s due to supply issues.

The generators could arrive and be installed by spring or summer.

Staff writer Sriya Reddy contributed to this report.