Late-morning freeze warning damaged Val Verde County vegetation

Sub-freezing temperatures moved through Val Verde and Kinney counties during the early hours of Sunday, Jan. 11, producing frost that threatened crops, nurseries and exposed outdoor plumbing. The National Weather Service office in Austin/San Antonio issued a freeze warning the morning of Jan. 10, saying temperatures could drop to 27 to 32 degrees between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. CST Sunday.

The warning covered Val Verde and Kinney counties, specifically including the cities of Del Rio and Brackettville, and noted higher confidence for sub-freezing readings in northern parts of each county. The advisory cautioned that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and potentially damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents were urged ahead of the cold snap to cover or move tender plants indoors, drain and protect exposed outdoor plumbing, and prepare for icy conditions on elevated surfaces.

Local growers, homeowners with irrigation lines, and municipal utilities faced the immediate brunt of the cold. Frost during critical winter nights can kill unprotected tender plants and ornamentals, and prolonged exposure below freezing stresses irrigation systems and above-ground pipes that serve rural properties. For small-scale farmers and garden hobbyists in and around Del Rio, even a single freeze night can force replanting and alter winter care plans.

The lead time from the National Weather Service provided a window for precautionary action. The agency encouraged residents to consult the KEWX local forecast page for hourly updates and related statements, which local officials and property owners relied on for timing protective measures. Northern parts of the counties saw the coldest readings, consistent with the higher confidence the NWS reported for those areas.

Looking beyond immediate impacts, freezes highlight gaps in winter preparedness for semi-arid border communities that typically plan for heat and drought more than cold snaps. County offices, water utilities and agricultural extension services can reduce recurring damage by expanding pre-freeze outreach to vulnerable residents, mapping high-risk irrigation infrastructure and offering clear guidance on draining and insulating outdoor plumbing.

The takeaway? Protect what you can now and inventory losses early. Inspect exposed pipes and irrigation lines for leaks, move or cover tender plants, and keep a list of what was affected for possible assistance or insurance claims. Our two cents? A little prep the night before a predicted freeze can save a week of repair work and a season of lost growth.