LIST: Warming shelters open in Houston area

Several warming shelters have opened in and around the Houston area because of the arctic blast.

Click here for the latest weather updates.

Here’s a list of locations where you can go to stay warm:

YMCA of Greater Houston

The Houston Texans YMCA (5202 Griggs Rd, Houston, TX 77021) is unable to re-open as a warming center due to loss of power.

Currently, the power has gone out at the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA (1234 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018) and families are being diverted elsewhere. The hope is that the power can be restored by the morning of Thursday, February 18.

Crowd Source Rescue

Dickinson

The City of Dickinson has partnered with Dickinson ISD to establish a warming refuge at the Barber Middle School Gym, at 5651 FM 517 in Dickinson. In addition to providing shelter, you can also charge phones or medical devices here. If you are in need of shelter you contact the police department for assistance or arrive at the north parking lot of Barber Middle School. They are not able to offer food or water at this time and cannot accept pets.

Fort Bend Community Church

This facility located at 7707 Highway 6 in Missouri City is open during the daytime only from Wednesday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 19 during the following hours:

-Wednesday, February 17: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

-Thursday, February 18 and Friday, February 19: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Fort Bend County has partnered with We All Eat Program to provide 100 free meals at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18 at this facility.

Phone number is 832-539-4887

George R. Brown Convention Center

This center has reached capacity. The George R. Brown Convention Center opened Sunday at 4 p.m. as a warming center to assist those who are experiencing homelessness and need protection from the winter weather.

Gallery Furniture

People can go to the location at 6006 North Freeway in Houston.

The location at 7227 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond is now closed due to a power outage.

Galveston CoCare Coordination

Galveston CoCare is now coordinating services to help Galveston City’s unhoused get out of the cold during these next rough couple of days. They are working with local agencies to coordinate food and shelter.

The two Galveston facilities (Salvation Army and Galveston Central Church) are currently at capacity and having to deal with rolling power blackouts.

The Salvation Army, Galveston County Community Action Council, the Red Cross, the Galveston County Food Bank, Galveston Central Church and the City of Galveston are helping with supplies including cots, blankets, pillows and snacks. Anyone needing help or interested in donating hot meals, volunteering or who has any other questions can call Chad Smith, Executive Director of Galveston CoCare, at 346-324-4324 or email csmith@galvestoncocare.com.

Grand Parkway Baptist Church

Grand Parkway Baptist Church located at 12000 FM 1464 in Richmond is still open for those who need it Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Thursday, Feb. 18. There are no beds nor food provided, so please bring what you need.

Lakewood Church

Lakewood Church is open as a warming center. The church is located at 3700 Southwest Freeway.

The church said there is no limit on how many people will be allowed in. Even if there is no bed available, people can still come and stay warm.

Walk-ins are available, and there is no sign-up necessary.

The church said they will stay open as a shelter as long as the weather crisis warrants.

The church will take the necessary COVID-19 precautions to keep the guests comfortable and safe.

League City

We’ve opened a warming center at the Hometown Heroes Recreation Center. Space is extremely limited. No animals allowed. Masks required. We are not providing food or blankets but a place for our residents without power to get warm. The address is 1001 E. League City Parkway.

McGuire Dent Recreation Center

The City of Galveston is reopening a warming center at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center beginning Wednesday, February 17 at 6 p.m. It will remain open until 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 18.

The McGuire Dent Recreation Center, located at 2222 28th Street, Galveston, TX 77550, will serve as a warming center for the public, particularly the city’s most vulnerable populations. The public is invited to use the heated recreation center community room. The City will not have meals or beds available at the center.

People will be rapid COVID-19 tested and have their temperature taken upon entry. People will be required to wear masks inside the building.

Missouri City Recreation and Tennis Center

Missouri City has teamed up with Fort Bend County to make this warming center possible starting Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. until Saturday, Feb. 20 at noon.

The location is at 2701 Cypress Point Drive in Missouri City.

Capacity for the facility will be 300 people, with 50 spots reserved for those 65 years and older. Admission will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Individuals will be required to log in and out of the facility and, for COVID-19 purposes, it is being requested that invididuals not be walking in and out at their leisure while they are there. There is limited seating available, so it is recommended to bring your own folding chairs and blankets. No pets are allowed, and COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, meaning face coverings and social distancing are required. Food and beverage will also not be provided - visitors may bring their own. Also, no weapons are allowed on site.

Montgomery County

Warming shelters are open at the following locations:

  • Under Over Fellowship - 600 S. Frazier St., Conroe
  • Lone Star Convention Center - 9055 Airport Road, Conroe
  • Church Project - 602 Pruitt Road, The Woodlands
  • Madeley Ranch Elementary - 3500 Madeley Ranch Road, Montgomery; can accommodate up to 100 individuals; available through at least the end of the current week; no registration needed, all are welcome

National Association of Christian Churches

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee helped establish a warming center with the National Association of Christian Churches at 16605 Air Center Blvd. The phone number is (832) 626-7111.

If you need a warming center, please use the Harris County and Houston centers along with this northside center. Red Cross serves as a partner.

Brazoria County

  • Shadycrest Baptist Church – 3017 Yost Rd, Pearland, TX 77581 (8am – 5pm)
  • Peace Church of Pearland – 2849 Miller Ranch Road, #503, Pearland, TX 77584
  • The Legacy Church – 4085 FM 528, Alvin, TX 77511
  • One Church – 1720 W. Sealy, Alvin, TX 77511
  • Pearland Recreation and Natatorium - 4141 Bailey Rd, Pearland, TX 77584
  • First Baptist Church of Pearland - 3005 Pearland Pkwy, Pearland, TX 77581
  • Heights Baptist Church - 1591 County Rd 144, Alvin, TX 77511
  • Missionary Baptist Church - 2102 W Lang St, Alvin, TX 77511
  • LifePoint – 3011 Yost Road, Pearland, TX 77581
  • The Church on MastersRoad – 6911 Masters, Manvel, TX 77578 (food/showers available, open to the public 3 p.m.-6 p.m.; call 832-637-7121 for questions)
  • Pearland Recreation and Natatorium – 4141 Bailey Rd, Pearland, TX 77584
  • Crosspoint Church – 1134 Old Alvin Rd, Pearland, TX 77581 (now closed due to power/water outages)

River Pointe Church

Location at 21000 Southwest Freeway in Richmond is no longer accepting residents.

Walker County Office of Emergency Management

The Walker County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will activate an emergency warming shelter for Walker County residents as a winter blast moves in. The shelter, located at 455 SH 75 N in Huntsville, Texas was originally scheduled to be open from Sunday (February 14) at 5pm through Wednesday (February 17) at noon. UPDATE: Due to the current situation, THIS HAS BEEN EXTENDED with limited spots still available. Depending on weather conditions, dates and times may continue to adjust. Citizens are required to bring necessary clothing, medication, toiletries, baby food, formula, diapers, etc. Pets are not allowed in the shelter. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and masks are required at all times in the shelter. If you need a warm place to stay during this event, you MUST call and register with the Emergency Operations Center at 936-435-8035 between the hours of 8am-5pm. Walker County identification is required for entry.

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