Texas Winter Storm: Houston Braces for Ice, Freezing Temperatures, and Potential Outages

Winter Storm Threat for Southeast Texas

• ❄️ A significant winter storm is impacting southeast Texas, bringing the threat of freezing precipitation and ice accumulations, particularly north of the I-20 corridor.
• ⚠️ The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Harris County, in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday evening, with ice accumulation potentially exceeding a tenth of an inch.
• 🥶 Dangerously cold wind chills are expected Monday morning, with feels-like temperatures ranging between 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preparations and Potential Impacts

• ⚡ Centerpoint Energy has thousands of workers on standby and has increased resources, including inspecting critical infrastructure and ensuring heaters are working, to prepare for potential outages.
• 🛠️ Post-barrel improvements to transmission lines, such as added air spoilers, are expected to help harden the system against icing events.
• 💧 Ongoing water leaks across Houston are a concern, as wet streets and sidewalks could turn into sheets of ice, posing dangerous travel conditions.
• 🚗 Residents are advised to prepare for the cold by wrapping pipes, dressing in layers, and having essentials like flashlights, batteries, and water.

School and Community Closures

• 📚 Several major school districts, including HISD, Cy-Fair, Katy, and Fort Bend, have cancelled classes for Monday due to the anticipated winter weather.
• 🏘️ Residents are reporting hundreds of active water leaks across the city, with concerns that repairs may not be completed before the freezing temperatures arrive.

Wildlife and Pet Safety

• 🐾 The SPCA advises putting out food for wildlife and creating sheltered spaces with blankets for feral cats.
• 🚗 It is recommended to tap on car hoods before starting them to scare away any animals seeking shelter inside.
• 🏥 The wildlife center will be open on Sunday for drop-offs of orphaned, sick, or injured wildlife.

Resources and Information

• 📲 Text the word FREEZE to 713-526-1111 to receive helpful resources and information for the weekend storm.
• 🌐 A comprehensive list of school district closures and weather updates can be found on KHOU.com.