Mar 05 2025 3 mins
In McKinney, Texas, the past 24 hours have been a whirlwind of activity, marked by severe weather, important city council decisions, and the usual springtime challenges.
To start, the weather has been quite dramatic. Severe storms swept through North Texas early Tuesday, bringing wind gusts of up to 70 mph and causing widespread damage. In McKinney, this resulted in significant power outages, with nearly 300,000 households affected across Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton counties. The storms were so intense that they snapped utility poles, knocked down fences, and damaged several rooftops. A brief EF-1 tornado even touched down in nearby Irving, with winds reaching 110 mph[5].
The aftermath of these storms has been felt deeply, especially in the local school system. McKinney High School, Hanes Elementary School, and De Zavala Middle School were all closed on Wednesday, March 5, due to the lack of power and safety concerns. Despite this, other schools in the area are operating on a normal schedule, with power expected to be restored by Thursday[5].
On a more administrative front, the McKinney City Council had a significant meeting rescheduled from March 4 to March 5 due to the power outage at McKinney City Hall. This meeting, held at the new city hall on East Virginia Street, included a vote on reserving land for a stealth communications tower to improve cell reception in southwest McKinney. This area, home to 38,000 residents across 4,000 acres, has been struggling with poor cell service. The council also discussed an impact fee waiver request for the redevelopment of the Remnant at Greenwood I and II, a project aimed at creating more affordable housing[1].
As spring begins to bloom, residents are also dealing with the usual seasonal allergies. The pollen count in the Dallas area, which includes McKinney, is currently high, with tree pollen being the main culprit. This means that many are experiencing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. The pollen count typically peaks in the early morning and midday, making these times particularly challenging for those with allergies[3].
In terms of local weather conditions as of March 5, the temperature at McKinney Municipal Airport was a cool 57.9°F, with a fresh breeze of 23.0 mph and clear skies. This is a welcome respite after the turbulent weather of the previous day[2].
Despite the challenges posed by the storms and allergies, McKinney remains a vibrant and active community. From the ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and housing to the resilience shown in the face of severe weather, the city continues to thrive and adapt to the changing seasons.
To start, the weather has been quite dramatic. Severe storms swept through North Texas early Tuesday, bringing wind gusts of up to 70 mph and causing widespread damage. In McKinney, this resulted in significant power outages, with nearly 300,000 households affected across Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton counties. The storms were so intense that they snapped utility poles, knocked down fences, and damaged several rooftops. A brief EF-1 tornado even touched down in nearby Irving, with winds reaching 110 mph[5].
The aftermath of these storms has been felt deeply, especially in the local school system. McKinney High School, Hanes Elementary School, and De Zavala Middle School were all closed on Wednesday, March 5, due to the lack of power and safety concerns. Despite this, other schools in the area are operating on a normal schedule, with power expected to be restored by Thursday[5].
On a more administrative front, the McKinney City Council had a significant meeting rescheduled from March 4 to March 5 due to the power outage at McKinney City Hall. This meeting, held at the new city hall on East Virginia Street, included a vote on reserving land for a stealth communications tower to improve cell reception in southwest McKinney. This area, home to 38,000 residents across 4,000 acres, has been struggling with poor cell service. The council also discussed an impact fee waiver request for the redevelopment of the Remnant at Greenwood I and II, a project aimed at creating more affordable housing[1].
As spring begins to bloom, residents are also dealing with the usual seasonal allergies. The pollen count in the Dallas area, which includes McKinney, is currently high, with tree pollen being the main culprit. This means that many are experiencing symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. The pollen count typically peaks in the early morning and midday, making these times particularly challenging for those with allergies[3].
In terms of local weather conditions as of March 5, the temperature at McKinney Municipal Airport was a cool 57.9°F, with a fresh breeze of 23.0 mph and clear skies. This is a welcome respite after the turbulent weather of the previous day[2].
Despite the challenges posed by the storms and allergies, McKinney remains a vibrant and active community. From the ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and housing to the resilience shown in the face of severe weather, the city continues to thrive and adapt to the changing seasons.