Day: January 19, 2025

This is an IMPORTANT message from ReadyHarris

January 19, 2025

Winter Weather Arrives Monday, Warming Centers Available

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is monitoring dangerous winter weather set to begin Monday evening and potentially lasting through Thursday afternoon. The National Weather Service (NWS), has issued a Winter Storm Warning in effect beginning at 6 PM on Monday, through 6 PM on Tuesday. A hard freeze with temperatures below 24 degrees, is expected for Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. Snow, sleet, and ice are also expected with some areas receiving 4 inches of snow. Residents should monitor the latest forecast daily and remain weather-aware.

Residents are advised to make all necessary winterization preparations by Sunday evening.

Travel will become nearly impossible between Monday evening through Wednesday! Snow, sleet, and ice will impact all roads, bridges, and overpasses creating dangerous driving conditions. STAY OFF THE ROADS! Where you are Monday night at 6pm, is where you should plan to stay through Wednesday.

Residents are also advised to use 9-1-1 only in the event of life-threatening emergencies. First responders will face significant challenges due to high than normal calls for service as well as weather impacted streets. Longer response times may result.

Warming Centers: Various partners in Harris County will be opening warming centers during this winter storm. Visit www.ReadyHarris.org to find the location nearest you. Visit the website daily for hours of operation and updates on available resources. The following are known locations and hours:

Precinct 1 Warming Centers
Hours of Operation: Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 from 7 AM to 7 PM
Water and MREs will be available.
• Finnigan Community Center/YET Center: 4900 Providence St, Houston, TX 77020
• Lincoln Park Community Center: 979 Grenshaw St, Houston, TX 77088
• Tom Bass Community Center: 15108 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77047

Precinct 2 Warming Centers
Hours of Operation: Monday, January 20 – Thursday, January 23 from 8 AM to 6 PM
Water, MREs, and Snacks will be available. Programming will not be available.
• Bay Area Community Center: 5002 E NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX 77586
• Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center: 10918 1/2 Bentley St, Houston, TX 77093
• East Harris County Activity Center: 7340 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX, 77505
• Hardy Community Center: 11901 West Hardy Rd, Houston, TX 77076
• J.D. Walker Community Center: 7613 Wade Rd, Baytown, TX 77521
• Leon Grayson / Baldree Community Center: 13828 Corpus Christi St, Houston, TX 77015
• Leonel J. Castillo Community Center: 2101 South St, Houston, TX 77009
• Magnum-Howell Community Center: 2500 Frick Rd, Houston, TX 77038
• Martin L. Flukinger Community Center: 16003 Lorenzo St, Channelview, TX 77530
• Pep Mueller Activity Center: 14750 Henry Rd, Houston, TX 77060

Precinct 3 Community Centers
Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM, Saturday from 8 AM – 4 PM
Closed Monday for MLK Day
• Barrett Station/Riley Chambers Community Center: 909 1/2 Magnolia Ave, Houston, TX 77002
• Crosby Community Center: 409 Hare Rd, Crosby, TX 77532
• George H.W. Bush Community Center: 6827 Cypresswood Dr, Cypress, TX 77379
• Juergen’s Hall Community Center: 26026 Hempstead Rd, Cypress, TX 77429
• San Jacinto Community Center: 604 Highland Woods Dr, Highlands, TX 77562
• Trini Mendenhall Community Center: 1414 Wirt Rd, Houston, TX 77055

Precinct 4 Warming Centers
Hours of Operation: Monday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 21 from 8 AM to 8 PM
• Bayland Community Center: 6400 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77074
• Burnett Bayland Community Center: 6026 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77081
• Steve Radack Community Center: 18650 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084

Baytown Warming Center
Hours of Operation: Monday, January 20 from 8 AM to Tuesday, January 21
• Memorial Baptist Church Activity Center: 600 W Sterling Ave, Baytown, TX 77520

City of Houston Warming Centers
The warming centers will remain open 24/7 from Sunday, January 19 at 6 PM until midday Thursday, January 23 (subject to change).
• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W. Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77091
• Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center: 6402 Market St, Houston, TX 77007
• Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
• Kashmere Multi-Service Center: 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77026
• Magnolia Multi-Service Center: 7037 Capitol St, Houston, TX 77011
• Metropolitan Multi-Service Center: 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
• Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
• Northeast Multi-Service Center: 9720 Spaulding St, Houston, TX 77016
• Southwest Multi-Service Center: 6400 High Star Dr, Houston, TX 77074
• Sunnyside Multi-Service Center: 4410 Reed Rd, Houston, TX 77051

American Red Cross Shelters
Hours of Operation: Sunday, January 19 at 5 PM until midday Thursday, January 23 (subject to change)
Food, Water, Cots, & Blankets. No Pets Allowed.
• Tom Bass Community Center, 15108 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77047
• Kingwood First Baptist Church, 3500 Woodland Hills Dr, Kingwood, TX 77339

Travel Safety:
Monitor road conditions daily by visiting https://www.houstontranstar.org/. Statewide road conditions are available at https://drivetexas.org/. 

Protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes, and plants.

People:
• Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
• Add layers to help keep you warm as the temperature drops.
• Check in with elderly family and neighbors to see if they need help.

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

Pipes:
• Protect any exposed outdoor pipes (sprinkler systems should be shut off and properly drained)

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

Heater Safety:
Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. If not used properly, they can cause fires, severe injuries, and death. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, carpets, curtains, and people.
• Place heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces.
• Never block exits with a heater and keep them out of the way of foot traffic.
• Keep children away from heaters.
• Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets – NEVER use an extension cord.
• Turn off and unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.

Protect yourself from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing a battery-operated CO detector and never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors.

Generator Safety:
If you use a generator, remember these important safety tips from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office.
• Use portable generators outdoors at least 15-20 feet away from all doors, windows, and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.

Follow local media for forecast updates and stay informed on how to prepare for extreme cold weather by following HCOHSEM updates at ReadyHarris.org, on social media, and by signing up for ReadyHarris Alerts or ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts.