HOUSTON – The City of Houston has issued a winter weather alert ahead of next week’s cold front and expected hard freeze.
The city warned that the cold temperatures can “pose a danger to the health and safety of Houston residents” and urged residents to take the proper precautions to reduce exposure to these conditions.
On Friday, Mayor John Whitmire joined leaders from across the city for a press conference to discuss preparations for the arctic weather system arriving next week.
Other speaks in attendance included:
- Chief George Buenik, Mayor’s Office of Public Safety & Homeland Security
- Chief Thomas Muñoz, Office of Emergency Management
- Chief Samuel Peña, Houston Fire Department
- Chief Troy Finner, Houston Police Department
- Carol Haddock, Houston Public Works
The following officials were also in attendance:
- Marc Eichenbaum, Mayor’s Special Advisor for Homelessness Initiatives
- Kenneth Allen, Director of Houston Parks Department
- Stephen Williams, Director of Houston Health Department
Warming Centers
For those who need to escape the cold, the following warming center locations will be open beginning at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15:
Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
Houston, TX 77091
METRO: 44 – Acres Homes stop @ W. Montgomery & Wilburforce
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
6402 Market St.
Houston, TX 77020
METRO: 48 Maket stop @ Market & Rouse
Downtown Recovery Center
150 Chenevert St.
Houston, TX 77002
METRO: 48 Market stop @ Runnels & East Dr.
Fonde Community Center
110 Sabine St.
Houston, TX 77007
METRO: 30 Clinton/Ella stop @ Memorial & Houston
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at W. Gray
1745 W. Gray St.
Houston TX 77019
METRO: 32 Renwick/San Felipe stop @ W. Gray & Waugh
Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center
4410 Reed Rd.
Houston, TX 77051
METRO: 29 Cullen/Hirsch stop @ Cullen & Wilmington
All city facilities will accept pets. These pets may be required to stay in kennels provided by BARC.
Additionally, the following organizations have agreed to open their facilities in coordination with the City of Houston at the same dates and times.
“We have six warming centers provided by the city of Houston across the Houston community,” Whitmire said. And then we have two additional, Lakewood Church. We would like to thank them. And also the Alief Family YMCA. So we’re prepared, but they need to stay in touch with the authorities.”
Lakewood Church
3700 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77027
Alief Family YMCA
7850 Howell Sugar Land Rd.
Houston, TX 77083
Free Rides
The city will offer free rides to these locations for anyone who needs assistance. To arrange for a ride, please contact 3-1-1.
Ways to reach 3-1-1:
Website: https://www.houstontx.gov/311/
Customer Portal: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/en-US/
Download the app: Apple or Google
Email: 311@houstontx.gov
Phone: 311 (inside city limits) or 713-837-0311
Special Events
Many large special events are scheduled for this weekend, including the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, and the Houston SLAB Parade and Family Festival. Houstonians are urged to continue to monitor the weather throughout the weekend and watch for updates to scheduled events.
Protective Actions
When cold weather occurs, the city said Houstonians should remember to protect the Four ‘P’s: People, pets, pipes, and plants.
“Everyone needs to be on guard [and] prepared. Look out for your pets, plants, your children, the mayor said. “Your pipes. Pipes. Let me emphasize that we don’t want water damage in our homes.”
While the probability of sleet and freezing rain is low, city officials urged drivers to avoid all unnecessary travel during this weather event. Houston Public Works, Houston Airport System, and TxDOT will work to pre-stage resources as necessary to limit the impact of cold weather on the transportation system.
“TxDOT are getting our highways prepared. Public works will be working all night,” Whitmire said.
A big concern is whether the power grid can handle the forecast all-time peak usage. ERCOT says they should be operating with some room to spare, saying there’s less than a 17% chance of a blackout.
Mayor Whitmire is holding them to it.
“I know the folks up there. They know they better not mess up again,” Whitmire said. “So, I will let them know that we’re counting on them. If we can be of any assistance, let us know.”
During the day, those seeking relief may visit any City of Houston facility, and can also consider public spaces like coffee shops, movie theaters, malls, etc. All YMCA of Greater Houston locations will be available as warming centers during normal business hours. For a list of locations, please visit this website.
The city said those with disabilities, access and functional needs should take specific action:
- Ensure powered-mobility devices are fully charged each day
- Contact your family/support team so they know what assistance you may need
- Have a plan that includes both sheltering-in-place and evacuating, depending on what advice emergency officials give
- If you are on dialysis or other life-sustaining medical treatment know the location and availability of more than one facility that can help you.
- Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
- Wear medical alert tags or bracelets. Also, add pertinent medical information to your electronic devices.
- If you have a communication disability consider carrying printed cards or storing information on your devices to inform first responders and others how to communicate with you.
- For parents with children, have Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
- For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, use a weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert). Grab extra hearing-aid batteries, pen and paper (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language)
- People who are blind or have low vision are urged to mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
- Keep communication devices for your particular needs, such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit
Remember to do the following:
- Dress in warm, layered clothing, including gloves, a coat, and a hat when you are outside.
- Never leave children or the elderly in vehicles during cold weather, as they can act as refrigerators and expose anyone inside to sub-freezing temperatures.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside your home (or any enclosed area). These devices can generate carbon monoxide, which cannot be seen or smelled but is deadly. Place generators at least 20 feet from windows, doors or vents.
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