UPDATED: Cherokee County advisory

UPDATED AT 10:10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Department is urging people to remain at home today, as "roads are extremely icy and dangerous this morning." While TXDOT crews are working diligently to blade the roads at this time, if residents have no need to travel, please stay home and allow TXDOT to work, officials said.

Alto Municipal Court has been cancelled for Thursday due to road conditions.

Non-essential City of Jacksonville offices are closed Thursday and Friday; the Municipal Court docket for Friday is cancelled. Republic Trash pick-up also is canceled for Thursday, with the local landfill closed due to weather conditions.

Bullard City Hall will remain closed the rest of the week; regular business hours will resume at 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22.

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UPDATED AT 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17

Cherokee County Advisory: Please do the best you can to conserve water. All Cherokee County cities and rural water supply agencies are experiencing an increase in demand for water while dealing with this inclement weather. There are also many pipes that are freezing over or rupturing. Please only keep your faucets with a constant drip and not a constant run in order to keep your lines from freezing. Also keeping underneath cabinets open helps in the flow of air and heat to your pipes that will help avoid freezing. All agencies are doing the best they can to keep your services running, but they can only do it with your assistance. Please continue to reduce the amount of power you are using in your household as well. Reduce your thermostat to 68 degrees and unplug any appliances that are not in use. Thank you for your assistance.

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UPDATED AT 11:24 a.m. Wednesday:

The City of Wells has issued an alert asking that "everyone on the Wells water supply conserve water usage and stop dripping their pipes. We are in danger of running out of water. Turning off your water is necessary, and store water for flushing toilets in your bathtub."

The City of Rusk has issued a boil water notice until further notice. Tap water used for consumption should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil, then boiled for another two minutes.

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UPDATED at 10:51 a.m. Wednesday:

The following water supply corporations serving Cherokee County have issued notices:

Craft-Turney WSC: Due to the extreme weather, plant pipes/lines have become frozen causing loss of water. Craft Turney WSC employees are battling the bad roads and extreme cold to correct the situation at hand, and employees are working to the best of their ability.

Alto Rural Water Supply Corp.: A boil water notice has been issued for all customers; due to conditions, some wells have frozen up and officials have no estimate when the boil water notice will be rescinded. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

North Cherokee Water Supply: The system is experiencing intermittent outages in water supply. As the weather worsens today, we are unsure of how long we will be able to continue filling our tanks. North Cherokee Water Supply is under a boil water notice until full service is restored. Offices are closed until further notice, with updates posted on https://northcherokeewsc.com/

West Jacksonville Water Supply Corporation: Power failures and frozen pipes have rendered wells unable to pump water to keep tanks full; employees are working around the clock to restore water service. Once restored, customers will need to boil water for 2 minutes at a rolling boil prior to consumption. The office is also closed until further notice; updates can be found at www.westjacksonvillewater.com.

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Alerts sent at 10 a.m. Tuesday via Cherokee County's RAVEAlert system ask that residents stay home during inclement weather periods today and tomorrow.

"Most stores and restaurants have been closed due to no power or people to be able to work them. Those that are out on the road are causing a hazard for first responder having to go out and save them. Roads are deteriorating quickly and most are iced over, even though they look clear. Please use common sense and stay home."

Residents on social media have been advising others of low gas supplies and shortages throughout the area, as well.

The Cherokeean Herald will continue to update this story. Meanwhile, stay safe!