Harris County Officials Provide Winter Freeze Update and Safety Guidance

Winter Weather and Road Conditions

• ❄️ Officials report that precipitation has ended, and current ice on roads is less than initially expected.
• ⚠️ Despite improvements, driving remains hazardous, especially on highways and bridges, with calls for service increasing.
• 🚗 Drivers are urged to be patient, as travel times will be longer, and to be aware that what appears to be water could be ice.

Extreme Cold and Infrastructure Concerns

• 🥶 The focus is shifting to extremely cold temperatures and their impact on people, pipes, and infrastructure not built for such conditions.
• 🏠 Residents are advised to drain and wrap pipes before temperatures cause them to burst, with resources available at readyharris.org.
• 💡 Social media claims about power outages are cautioned against; trusted local media and official accounts should be consulted.

Shelters and Public Services

• 🏘️ Harris County has opened 20 shelters and warming centers, with 18 offering overnight stays and six accepting pets.
• 📞 In Harris County, residents needing shelter assistance can call 311; outside the county, contact local emergency managers.
• 🏛️ Public-facing county services, including jury duty and tax services, are closed on Monday, with updates for Tuesday to follow.

Fire Safety and Prevention

• 🔥 The Fire Marshal reports no injuries from carbon monoxide detector alarms overnight, but advises caution with chimneys and heat lamps.
• ♨️ Grills and fire pits should be placed 5-10 feet away from homes, and embers should be wet down before disposal to prevent fires.
• 🏠 Residents are reminded to have home escape plans and to ensure smoke detectors are functional.

Power and Maritime Updates

• ⚡ Centerpoint reports approximately 1,400 customers without power in Harris County, with power restored to 27,000 customers since Saturday.
• 🚢 Maritime commerce is currently closed due to dangerous conditions, with pilots deeming it unsafe to steer vessels.
• ⚠️ Downed power lines and natural gas leaks are serious hazards; residents should stay clear and report them immediately.