Freezing rain contributes to fatal multi-car pileup near Dallas

11 Feb 2021, 4:08 pm

Light freezing rain and sleet in the early morning hours Thursday contributed to a fatal multi-car pileup in the Dallas metroplex.

BREAKING: @FortWorthFire and @fortworthpd are on scene after multiple fatalities from a major pile up on Interstate 35. Family reunification points have been set up to help rescue people from the roadway.

📹: @NorthTXWeather pic.twitter.com/ntz2s4hh2n

— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) February 11, 2021

According to local media outlets, Fort Worth police said a total of 133 vehicles were involved in the wreck and at least 6 people have died.

Officers said first responders are having a hard time getting to some of the trapped vehicles due to the “literal pileup.”

#I35Pileup

There is a family reunification location for families to pick up & meet drivers/passengers involved in the pileup on I-35. The address for families to pick up their loved ones is….3700 E. Belknap (Riverside Center).

Media is NOT allowed inside the building.

— Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) February 11, 2021

Local media outlets said all lanes of I-35 West were blocked in both directions due to the wreck from I-30 to Loop 280.

Additional light freezing drizzle and/or freezing rain will be possible tonight in this area, before it clears Friday. Another winter storm will then take aim at Texas and Oklahoma this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, with heavy additional snow and ice.

Even light freezing rain causes a buildup of ice on bridges and overpasses and can make for very dangerous travel. Sidewalks and steps along with elevated metal surfaces will become very slippery. Isolated power outages are also possible.

Stay with WeatherNation for the latest on this winter storm. We’re streaming 24/7 on many digital platforms.

About the author

Kara James

Kara has always been passionate about weather and knew from an early age that she wanted to become a meteorologist. Living in different regions of the country and experiencing weather events ranging from ice storms to tornadoes drove her to pursue a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout college, storm chasing became a regular event for Kara, where she saw fir... Load Morest-hand the power of the atmosphere. Kara graduated cum laude from OU and decided to further her meteorology education with a Master's degree from Mississippi State University. The deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak struck while Kara was studying at MSU; her first “Dixie Alley” tornado event and an up close glimpse into the destruction of the storms she so closely studied. Her broadcast career began in Elvis’ birthplace, Tupelo, Mississippi, where she earned her Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. Kara's career has included coverage of all types of severe weather including tornado events, flooding and tropical systems across multiple southern states. Recently she helped cover the 2020 Easter Sunday deadly tornado outbreak in southeast Mississippi. In her free time, you can find Kara outdoors exploring new areas with her mini poodle,Truffles. Kara is also an avid runner and frequently races in 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. Say hi to Kara on Twitter and Facebook!