CYPRESS, Texas – The worst case scenario was avoided in Houston. And quite frankly, we may have ended up with one of the better scenarios.
“The freeze line stayed about 50 miles north of Houston,” Mayor John Whitmire announced Sunday morning. “We were blessed by Mother Nature, blessed by preparation.”
Yet officials caution this winter weather event isn’t over.
Ice continues to coat major overpasses and flyovers, particularly along Highway 99 (Grand Parkway) and US 290, where the Harris County Sheriff’s Office has closed several ramps.
Multiple vehicles, including an 18-wheeler, needed a tow after becoming stranded on icy surfaces at I-10 and Grand Parkway.
“Don’t anticipate that it’s melting today,” warned Mark Sloan, Harris County Emergency Manager. “It may look dry, and at night, everything that looks shiny, it looks wet, is gonna be ice. It’s gonna be very hazardous, very dangerous for people to be out on the road.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo acknowledged the region’s relatively good fortune but urged continued vigilance.
“The good news is the precipitation is over and there’s less ice on the roads right now than we were expecting,” she said during a Sunday briefing. “I don’t want folks to get too comfortable. Things are going to change.”
Jeff Lindner, Harris County Meteorologist, explained that while air temperatures dropped to 24-25 degrees along the 99 corridor and 290/I-10 area, some bridge surfaces retained enough warmth to prevent widespread icing, at least for now.
The public largely heeded warnings to stay home, resulting in fewer emergency calls than anticipated.
Those who ventured out stuck mainly to surface streets.
“The roads weren’t slippery. We didn’t get on the freeway, though. We just took regular main streets, but it wasn’t bad,” said Katy resident Blyden Dahnyia.
Trinity White, traveling through Houston to Austin, compared current conditions favorably to previous winter weather events.
“I thought it was gonna be worse than this, honestly. Like I’m comparing it to 2021. Definitely thought it’s gonna be two times worse.”
There are a few things to look out for as you start the work week.
- Multiple highway flyovers and ramps closed, especially along Highway 99
- Emergency crews positioned throughout the county
- Surface streets generally passable but caution advised
Officials warn that the region now faces “phase two” of this winter weather event: extremely cold temperatures that could freeze any moisture on roadways.
Harris County Judge Hidalgo expressed particular concern about infrastructure impacts and potential pipe bursts in coming days.
Emergency officials continue monitoring road conditions, with particular attention to elevated roadways and bridges. Residents are strongly advised to:
- Stay off highways and bridges
- Avoid non-essential travel
- Use surface streets if travel is absolutely necessary
- Prepare for worsening conditions as temperatures drop overnight