Harris County alert: Prepare for freezing temps

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Harris County officials Thursday issued an alert to residents to prepare for temperatures that could drop below freezing overnight.

The National Weather Service forecasts a strong cold front that's moved through could drive temperatures below freezing for two to nine hours Friday morning.

County officials said the greatest risk of freezing weather will be north of Interstate 10, and they urged residents to take basic precautions to protect the four Ps: people, pets, pipes and plants.

People

  • Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
  • If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat.
  • Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.
  • Observe heater safety:
  • Never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.
  • Keep heat sources at least 3 feet away from furniture and drapes.
  • Never leave children unattended near a space heater.     

Pets

  • Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
  • Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes

  • Disconnect outdoor hoses, drain and store in protected area.
  • Wrap exposed faucets and pipes - including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas.

Plants

  • Bring potted plants inside or store in garage near interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
  • For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Officials recommend never using generators, grills, camp stoves or similar devices inside so as to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is also recommended to be sure vehicles are serviced and have antifreeze as needed.

Some people braved the cold to shop at Market Street in The Woodlands on Thursday night.

"I love it. I lived in Baltimore for ten years, so this is a nice change from the heat that is so terrible," Stephanie DeLeon said. "It's beautiful. It's nice."

The people weren't too frightened by the cold.

"I love the weather! I'm glad we're finally having somewhat of a winter," Shannon Blount said.

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About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.