As power and water outages persist throughout our region over the next few days, Precinct One has compiled a list of resources for constituents to navigate these difficult times. We hope that you are staying warm and safe. The information in this document is current as of 2.17 and will be updated periodically, but please be sure to verify information by visiting websites and making phone calls.

Updates:

• Much of Harris County is now under a boil water notice. Check your location on the interactive map at www.ReadyHarris.org. Be sure to boil water for 2 minutes and let cool before using to drink, cook, brush your teeth, or making ice.

• In order to preserve water pressure and supply, do NOT continue to let your faucets drip.

www.Twitter.com/readyharris/status/1362108973202231297?s=21

• We know that many people are experienc- ing difficulties with their water supply, but please DO NOT CALL 911, check with your city or utility district instead. Let’s not overwhelm our first responders who need to focus on life-threatening emergencies.

• If you do have power, please conserve as much as possible. Unplug additional appli- ances, turn off nonessential lights, avoid doing laundry or dishes, etc.

Protect the Four P’s: People, Pets, Pipes, & Plants:

• People: Keep warm, stay inside, if possible. If you need to go out, dress in layers and wear hats, gloves and an appropriate coat. Avoid overexertion, as cold weather puts added strain on your body.

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

• Pipes: Disconnect outdoor hoses; drain and store in protected area. Wrap exposed faucets and pipes - including those outside the house or in unheated crawl spaces, attics, garages and other areas. If you do have a pipe burst, see here www.bit.ly/3aq6qUL to quickly turn off your water supply.

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

Staying Warm and Safe:

• Wear loose layers of clothing, which help to keep in body heat. • To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, use

generators, pressure washers, grills, and similar items outdoors ONLY.

• Put your whole family in one room and keep doors shut.

• You can use extra towels or blankets near windows or doors to prevent warm air from escaping.

• Close blinds and curtains and make sure all windows are tightly shut.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

• Continue to eat, your body needs the energy

to stay warm.

• Check on your friends and neighbors, especially the elderly.

• Even if you’re without power in your home,myour home is still the safest place you can be right now.

• Stay off roadways and be careful walking on outdoor surfaces.

• Stay tuned to trusted sources for updates and information.

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 out-

lets – 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.

• Remember: 9-1-1 is ONLY for emergencies.

Warming Centers:

Warming centers are open throughout the area for those needing to escape frigid temperatures.

• List of Warming Centers: www.ABC13.com/ heres-where-you-can-go-if-you-need-to- getwarm/10338709/

• Gallery Furniture stores are now warming shelters: www.Chron.com/news/houston-weather/article/Gallery-Furniture-stores- are-now-warming-shelters-15954396.php

• American Red Cross Warming Centers: www.Redross.org/get-help/disaster-re- lief-andrecovery-services/find-an-open- shelter.html

• Coalition for the Homeless, Winter Shelter Updates: www.HomelessHouston.org/win- terweather-alert

Trusted Resources:

Having reliable info. from trusted resources allows you and your family to make informed decisions.

You can rely on the following websites for updates:

• Weather Updates: https://www.weather.gov/ hgx/

• Local Traffic Updates: https://www.houston-transtar.org/

• Harris County Updates: https://www.ready-harris.org/

• State Traffic Updates: https://drivetexas.org

• METRO: https://www.ridemetro.org/

• City of Houston Emergency Operations Center: https://houstonemergency.org/

• If you need assistance or food: 211texas.org or call 2-1-1

Stores and Restaurants:

• Open Restaurants for To Go: https://houston. culturemap.com/news/restaurants-bars/02- 16-21houston-restaurants-open-winter- storm/

• HEB: As the winter weather continues, many of our stores have updated hours today and will be opening later or closing earlier than usual. Please check heb.com/newsroom for the most updated information.

• Kroger: Stores that are currently open will close at 8pm tonight, and reopen with regular business hours on Wednesday, February 17th. Note that due to power outages, some stores are still closed.

• Walmart: Find the status of stores near you here: https://corporate.walmart.com/news- room/2021/02/15/winter-storm-facility-status