Houston Prepares for Winter Storm: Warming Centers, Road Treatment, and Safety Tips

Winter Storm Preparedness in Houston

• ❄️ Houston officials are finalizing preparations for an approaching severe winter storm, with a focus on road treatment, power outage readiness, and opening warming centers.
• ⚠️ Residents are urged to prepare now before the cold weather hits.

City Response and Infrastructure

• 🌉 Public works will treat bridges and overpasses prone to freezing up to 24 hours before the storm.
• 🚗 Drivers are advised to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.
• ⚡ While widespread power outages are not anticipated, officials are coordinating with Centerpoint and preparing generators due to potential heavy ice on transmission lines.

Warming Centers and Transportation

• 🏘️ The city plans to open 12 warming shelters across Houston, with four having backup generators.
• 🚌 Metro is assisting in providing transportation to help move individuals experiencing homelessness to warming centers.

Home Safety and Winter Storm Tips

• 🏠 Fire officials remind residents to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and ensure they have fresh batteries.
• 🔥 When using space heaters, ensure they are in good condition, plugged directly into the wall, and kept at least three feet away from flammable materials.
• 🚗 Never bring generators or outdoor equipment inside to keep warm, and ensure adequate ventilation if warming up in a car to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• 🔋 Phone batteries drain faster in the cold; have extra batteries and portable chargers ready, keep phones charged, and close to the body when outside.

Election Day Considerations

• 🗳️ Harris County Clerk Tanisha Hudpath issued a warning regarding potential disruptions to early voting and Election Day for District 18's runoff special election due to the severe weather.