Response & Recovery: Winter Storm Mara

In February 2023, the City of Tyler transformed overnight as rain quickly froze, encapsulating the trees and power lines in ice for several days. Thousands of residents across the City were without power due to the ice weighing down trees and limbs, causing them to fall onto power lines.

A historic storm like Winter Storm Mara can typically take out all of the mitigations put in place to avoid a catastrophe. Thanks to the experience gained after multiple severe weather crises, our teams have transformed the way we respond.

The City of Tyler team provided 24/7 coverage of essential and emergency services for the community. No casualties were reported. Critical and emergency services operated at full strength throughout the storm.

After the storm passed, recovery efforts were set in motion. Internal and external communication methods were vital to the response and recovery efforts. Executive Team members stayed in close contact with Oncor ® and State agencies for updates and assistance. At the same time, City Staff provided constant updates on conditions. They also connected residents to services and solutions.

Various departments logged thousands of work hours clearing downed trees and limbs, as well as fixing damage to streets and traffic signals. Their hard work quickly and efficiently got the City back to normal operations and ready to serve the next time our neighbors needed us.

Storm Stats

- The Streets Department laid 7.5 tons of deicer on bridges and overpasses. They responded to 489 calls for cutting and removing debris, trees, and limbs blocking roadways and rights-of-way.

- Winter Storm Mara was the first time the Streets Department used Torch™ Xtreme Deicer directly on the icy pavement without mixing it with sand. There was an 83.6% decrease in traffic accidents during Winter Storm Mara compared to Winter Storm Uri.

- Tyler Firefighters responded to 115 calls about downed power lines and 17 calls about arcing power lines caused by ice accumulations making trees up to three times heavier and falling onto the power lines.

Tyler Street Department responds to calls of downed trees

- The Traffic Signal Team repaired 15 damaged or misaligned signals after the storm. Power outages throughout the City caused 42 of the 149 signalized intersections to lose power at least once. The team deployed 14 generators to power traffic signals at the busiest intersections during the height of the storm. Portable stop signs were placed at the other intersections without power to alert drivers to make a four-way stop.

- Solid Waste received and completed almost 3,000 work orders placed for limbs and brush pickup after the winter weather event.

- The Tyler Police Department responded to 314 calls for service during the storm.

- The Permits office issued 154 emergency electrical repair permits.

- Since Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and the straight-line winds in Spring 2022, we have lost more than 300 trees in City Parks and another 100+ that fell on streets blocking traffic.

Tyler Streets Department cuts down tree blocking street.

- We have planted more than 900 trees throughout City parks since the beginning of 2023 to recover our loss from severe storms.

Shorty the Squirrel plants a tree during 2023 Arbor Day

- All 28 parks sustained some damage, including severe damage at Bergfeld and Crescent Parks; and Oakwood, Westview, and Rose Hill Cemeteries.

- Power was out for about 24 hours at the Golden Road Water Treatment Plant. All water production was shifted to the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant. The swift response by personnel prevented residents from experiencing water loss or pressure issues.