Hundreds of crashes on icy roads in Fort Worth send at least 25 people to hospitals

Drivers in North Texas were having a difficult time Monday as freezing rain and sleet made roads treacherous.

As of 9 a.m. Monday, Fort Worth police reported more than 150 accidents. There were almost 30 major accidents between 5:30 a.m. and 6:45 a.m.

As of 2:30 p.m. MedStar said it had responded to 102 vehicle accidents with reported injures, including 11 rollovers. Twenty-five people were taken to hospitals. The ambulance service said it responded to six hypothermia calls. Three people were taken to hospitals in serious condition.

The city of Fort Worth said its street operations team has trucks out “to scout roadways for icy conditions. Other trucks are on standby ready to start sanding operations.”

A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday. Total ice or sleet accumulations between one tenth and one half of an inch are possible, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Significant impacts to travel is expected to continue through at least Tuesday night. Bridges and overpasses are likely to be the first to become hazardous as temperatures hover around or below freezing, according to the NWS in Fort Worth.

There is a low chance of some downed power lines and tree damage due to ice, authorities said.

Freezing rain and sleet will continue on Tuesday. Chance of precipitation near 100%. Wind chill values as low as 17.

Officials at the NWS in Fort Worth said freezing rain with a chance of sleet in the Wednesday morning, then showers in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent. Showers. Lows in the mid 30s. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

MedStar officials provided these winter weather safety tips:

▪ Make sure that you have important phone numbers, including for your health care providers, pharmacy, and veterinarian.

▪ Make sure you have enough medication for several days on hand.

▪ If you rely on medical devices in your home, having a back up plan in case you lose power for an extended period, such as a back-up generator or battery pack and back-up oxygen bottles.

▪ Have a communication plan for your family.

▪ Know how to get reliable information during the storm.

▪ Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power.

▪ Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. Operate all gasoline-powered devices, such as gas-powered generators and heaters, outdoors and never bring them indoors.

▪ Be aware of the wind chill factor. Wind can cause body-heat loss.

▪ Stay dry. If you become wet, remove wet clothing immediately.

▪ Limit your time outdoors.

▪ Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.

It will be cloudy Thursday with a 50% chance of showers. Daytime high will be in the upper 40s.

Rain chances are gone on Friday.