Houston Finalizes Winter Storm Plan: Warming Centers, Road Treatment, and Safety Advice

Winter Storm Preparedness in Houston

• ❄️ The City of Houston is finalizing its winter storm plan, with public works and emergency management teams briefing city council.
• 🏠 Plans include opening 12 warming centers, such as the one at the Fondi Rec Center, to provide shelter.

Road Treatment and Safety Measures

• 🛣️ Harris County precincts are preparing to treat roadways and bridges ahead of potential winter weather, beginning pre-treatment as early as tomorrow.
• 💧 Precinct 3 alone can use 15,000-20,000 gallons of brine per winter weather event, a sodium chloride solution applied to bridges to prevent ice formation.
• 🚗 Brine is most effective when vehicles drive on it, forcing the chemical concentration to break up ice; crews often brine the right lane first for safety.
• ⛰️ Harris County Precinct 4 plans to treat over 140 bridges using a broken gravel material called chat rock to improve traction on inclines and overpasses.
• 🚗 All county efforts are in addition to what TexDot may do on major highways and what individual municipalities are undertaking.

Public Advisory and Anticipated Impact

• ⚠️ Everyone is being asked to stay off the roads from Saturday until at least Tuesday.
• ⚡ The city's emergency management director stated it's still unclear what the storm's impact will be, with no significant power issues anticipated currently, but coordination with Centerpoint and generator preparation is underway.
• 🏡 Residents are recommended to finish their home preparations by the weekend.