Offices reopen after sleet pays Caldwell County a visit

By Miles Smith
Editor / POST-REGISTER

In the end, the first wintry precipitation of 2018 lacked the picturesque quality of the snowfall that greeted Caldwell County in December, but the sleet and freezing rain that swept through the area brought with it similar treacherous conditions that prompted a number of closures.
While the main thoroughfares were treated with salt and bridges and overpasses were sanded, Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management said late Wednesday that there had been a few pedestrian and vehicular accidents reported and cautioned motorists to be careful.
“Today there were dozens of accidents throughout Caldwell County – slips and falls to rollover vehicle accidents,” the office posted on its Facebook page. “We thank our first responders for the remarkable work they have done today. Please keep our first responders safe and warm by driving with caution and taking extra time navigating stairs, sidewalks and roadways.”
School districts throughout Greater Austin and Central Texas closed their doors on Tuesday, including all school districts in Caldwell County. Lockhart ISD made the decision to cancel Tuesday classes late Monday afternoon, notifying parents by phone and e-mail as well as on social media.
Lockhart, Luling and Prairie Lea school districts all planned to reopen Wednesday with a two-hour delay.
The city of Lockhart rescheduled its Tuesday night City Council meeting for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Lockhart public library.
Caldwell County offices were closed Tuesday, but by late afternoon, officials announced that they would hold normal business hours on Wednesday.
Lockhart High School postponed its Tuesday basketball games, rescheduling them for Wednesday night. The boys were rescheduled to play at Lockhart High School, with the freshmen and JV playing at 5 p.m. and varsity scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
An intermittent wintry mix was reported in various areas of the county early Tuesday and continued through early Tuesday afternoon as temperatures plunged into the 20s – nearly a 40-degree drop from where they were early Monday evening. By Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service said sleet and light snow were “quickly ending across the advisory area,” but cautioned motorists to beware of icy patches as temperatures were expected to stay below freezing until midday Wednesday.