Small Town News

3-inch snowfall blankets Burnet

---

Schools, county offices delay opening today

Kids frolicked and built snowmen throughout the day Tuesday before local cars trekked home on the sluggish streets of Burnet after more than 3 inches of snow fell during one of the largest winter storms in years.

Tuesday snowfall was the most since 2004 and maybe 1985, said National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Yura.

Hugh McCoy, NWS Burnet weather observer, said the soil temperature held steady at 40 degrees and the snow melted throughout Tuesday.

"You know that the snow's going to melt pretty quickly," McCoy said.

McCoy reported the 3 inches accumulation at noon, but it continued to snow throughout the afternoon.

Much of the snow had melted by Tuesday evening, but temperatures were forecast to drop to as low as 27 degrees and officials warned drivers to be aware of icy bridges and overpasses.

Kids and parents celebrated the day by building snowmen and throwing snowballs.

They've never seen snow before," said Burnet resident Chris Maldonado who went with his girlfriend and her two sons to a park next to Shady Grove Elementary School to play.

The kids wasted no time building a double-decker snowman, Maldonado said.

"As soon as they got out of the car they were playing in it--I think they started getting out of the car before we even stopped."

Ruth Perez watched her five-year-old son Damien build his own snowman, also ironically enough, named "Damien."

"Me and my snowman are buddies," he said, blinking back half-dollar snowfiakes on his eyes.

While the snow made for mostly fun and games Tuesday, a few logistical problems could be in store for today (Wednesday).

Burnet Independent School District officials decided to delay two hours Wednesday morning. Burnet Head Start & Early Head Start, Highland Lakes Head Start in Granite Shoals, and Marble Falls Head Start also decided to open two hours later than normal today.

BISD Superintendent Jeffrey Hanks said the delay was necessary due to the rural areas of the district's 700 square mile radius. The earliest school bus leaves at 5 a.m.; the farthest bus travels in excess of 30 miles.

"We have 2,000 students riding school buses," Hanks said. "Anytime we can make a call early, we do so because it helps the parents. We try to keep a normal schedule if at all possible."

AlertNow, an automated phone service used by school districts to contact parents, will notify parents of any changes Wednesday.

The BHS girls basketball regional playoff game Tuesday against China Springs High School was postponed until 6:30 tonight at Belton High School.

Burnet County judge Donna Klaeger ordered county offices closed early Tuesday and said they would not reopen until 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), except for law enforcement and emergency management offices. Offices affected by the judge's order were the Burnet County Courthouse, District Annex, Driver's License Office, Voter Registration Office, Treasurer's Office and library branches under Burnet County's jurisdiction.

All employees who work in a non-emergency capacity have been advised to stay home and avoid hazardous road conditions, and not report to work until 10 a.m.

Bertram City Council cancelled its Tuesday night meeting and the Groundwater Management Area 8 council canceled a Wednesday morning meeting at Woodway City Hall.

The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies Wednesday and Thursday. Highs will reach 51 degrees and bottom out at 34 degrees Wednesday. Meteorologists expect a high of 60 degrees Thursday, Friday and Saturday with lows around 40 degrees through the weekend.



Copyright 2010 Burnet Bulletin, Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Burnet Bulletin Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from Burnet Bulletin