Dallas, TX
Dallas weather: Clay Jenkins seen on flight leaving North Texas on eve of winter storm
DALLAS – Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins was seen boarding a plane to Costa Rica Friday morning, the day a powerful winter storm is expected to hit North Texas.
What we know:
FOX 4 obtained the photo above, taken Friday, Jan. 23, showing Jenkins and his family boarding a plane leaving Dallas-Fort Worth for Costa Rica.
The trip comes as a winter storm prepares to drop temperatures in Dallas to sub-freezing levels.
In Texas, the county judge is responsible for emergency preparedness, and the only one who can declare a disaster.
Dig deeper:
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 05: Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, questions U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger during the Senate Rules and Administration Committee oversight hearing on January 5, 2022 in Washington, D.C. One day before the anniversary of
The photo is reminiscent of when Texas sen. Ted Cruz traveled to Cancun in 2021 as a winter storm caused extended outages across the state.
Cruz was seen this week leaving Texas as reports of the winter storm’s intensity grew.
Cruz returned to Texas Friday. He poked fun at social media chatter about the incident on his X account.
What they’re saying:
A representative for Jenkins told FOX 4 the trip was pre-planned and that he will receive regular updates on the developing weather in North Texas.
“The County’s full focus is on keeping people safe and services running,” Lauren Trimble, his Chief of Staff, told FOX 4. “The Judge prepared in advance, ensuring emergency operations and coordination were in place during his travel which was scheduled months ago.”
“Dallas County’s experienced teams are ready to respond as conditions change, and he will continue to get regular updates.”
His office further responded on their plans with Jenkins out of office.
“The county’s readiness and emergency operations are fully staffed and coordinated. Chief of Emergency Services Scott Forster will oversee and coordinate the response,” Jenkins’ office said. “Chief of Staff Lauren Trimble is empowered to sign orders, but the Governor’s order makes that unnecessary.”
The Source: Information in this story came from viewer photos and an email from Dallas County.
DALLAS – Slow-moving thunderstorms brought localized flash flooding to parts of North Texas on Tuesday evening, blocking highways near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and dropping several inches of rain in portions of Tarrant and Parker counties.
Flash Flood Warnings
Local perspective:
Flash flood warnings are in effect for Hopkins, Hunt, Rains and Van Zandt counties until 7:45 p.m.
Flooding was reported along Texas 183 near Valley View Lane south of DFW Airport, where stranded vehicles and water-covered roadways created hazardous travel conditions.
A flash flood warning remained in effect near the airport, although rainfall rates had begun to diminish as the storm weakened.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings
The National Weather Service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for northern Hood County, citing the potential for gusty winds and small hail. Forecasters reported hail ranging from pea-sized to marble-sized in parts of Hood, Parker and Denton counties.
Forecasters attributed the weakening storms in Denton County to an outflow boundary, a meteorological feature that can disrupt thunderstorm development.
The warning area was reduced as the storm weakened near sunset.
LIVE RADAR
What they’re saying:
FOX 4’s Kylie Capps said the storms moved unusually slowly from east to west, allowing heavy rain to accumulate over the same areas for several hours.
Rainfall estimates showed some locations in eastern Parker County and western Tarrant County received nearly 5 inches of rain during a six-hour period, while areas near DFW Airport recorded more than 2 inches.
Elsewhere in North Texas, northern Rains County received nearly 5 inches of rain.
7-Day Forecast
What’s next:
Forecasters expect a quieter overnight period, with only isolated showers lingering into the evening. Additional thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon, though coverage and the threat of severe weather are expected to remain limited.
Temperatures are forecast to reach about 90 degrees Wednesday.
Rain chances are expected to continue through the remainder of the workweek and into the weekend as an upper-level low-pressure system sends multiple disturbances across North Texas.
The Source: Information in this article was provided by FOX 4’s Weather Team
Monday was a wild day for the NFL with two blockbuster trades. First was Myles Garrett, who both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles were rumored to have interest in.
Cowboys fans never bought into these rumors, knowing that Jerry Jones was unlikely to make such an investment. The Eagles, however, have been known to get aggressive. Thankfully for Dallas fans, they didn’t make the move as the Cleveland Browns sent Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for Jared Verse and a package of picks.
Not long after that trade was finalized, the Eagles did wind up making a trade. After months of speculation surrounding A.J. Brown and the New England Patriots, the two sides made it official as Brown was reunited with Mike Vrabel in exchange for a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
Dallas Cowboys could take the NFC East crown in 2026
The writing has been on the wall all offseason regarding Brown, who has been unhappy with the Eagles for a while. His departure seemed confirmed when they traded up with Dallas in the 2026 NFL draft for USC receiver Makai Lemon.
While Lemon has the tools to be a difference-maker, he won’t be able to perform at the same level as Brown during his rookie season. The Eagles do still have DeVonta Smith at receiver as well as running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts.
That said, there’s no denying that they’re weaker this season than they were with Brown. Just as important, however, is the fact that general manager Howie Roseman didn’t pull off a shocking move for Garrett, which would have made them the overwhelming favorites in the division.
Cowboys chances hinge on defensive changes
Another reason the Cowboys are confident they can hang with Philadelphia this season is the presence of Christian Parker, who they hired as their defensive coordinator after he spent the past two seasons as the passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach with the Eagles.
Parker brings in a new scheme and plenty of confidence, but more importantly, he has several new weapons at his disposal. Dallas traded for veterans Rashan Gary and Dee Winters, signed Jalen Thompson and Cobie Durant, and selected Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence in the draft.
Those are just some of the moves they made on defense, and they’re banking on that to be enough to help propel them past the team that has won the division the past two seasons.
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