The National Weather Service has advised a cold front is expected to pass through the Houston area beginning Sunday, January 14, that will include a hard freeze. Cold weather can pose a danger to the health and safety of Houston residents and proper care should be taken to reduce exposure to these conditions.

Warming Centers

For those who need to escape the elements, the following warming center locations will be open from beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, January 15:

ll City of Houston facilities will accept pets. These pets may be required to stay in kennels provided by BARC.

Additionally, the following organizations have agreed to open their facilities in coordination with the City of Houston at the same dates and times.

Lakewood Church

3700 Southwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77027

Alief Family YMCA

7850 Howell Sugar Land Rd.

Houston, TX 77083

Free Rides

The City of Houston will offer free rides to these locations for anyone who needs assistance. To arrange for a ride, please contact 3-1-1.

Ways to reach 3-1-1:

Website: https://www.houstontx.gov/311/

Customer Portal: https://houston311.powerappsportals.us/en-US/

Download the app: Apple - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/houston-311/id572912099

Google - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.seeclickfix.houston311.app&feature=search_result&pli=1#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5zZWVjbGlja2ZpeC5ob3VzdG9uMzExLmFwcCJd

Email: 311@houstontx.gov

Phone: 311 (inside city limits) or 713-837-0311

Special Events

Many large special events are scheduled for this weekend, including the Chevron Houston Marathon, the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, and the Houston SLAB Parade and Family Festival. Please continue to monitor the weather throughout the weekend and watch for updates to scheduled events.

Protective Actions

When cold weather occurs, Houstonians should remember to protect the Four 'P's: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

While the probability for sleet and freezing rain is low, please avoid all unnecessary travel during this weather event. Houston Public Works, Houston Airport System, and TxDOT will work to pre-stage resources as necessary to limit the impact of cold weather on the transportation system.

During the day, those seeking relief may visit any City of Houston facility, and can also consider public spaces like coffee shops, movie theaters, malls, etc... All YMCA of Greater Houston locations will be available as warming centers during normal business hours. For a list of locations, please visit this website.

Those with disabilities, access and functional needs should take specific action to ensure their life-sustaining tools are in good-working order.

• Ensure powered-mobility devices are fully charged each day

• Contact your family/support team so they know what assistance you may need

• Have a plan that includes both sheltering-in-place and evacuating, depending on what advice emergency officials give

• If you are on dialysis or other life-sustaining medical treatment know the location and availability of more than one facility that can help you.

• Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.

• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets. Also add pertinent medical information to your electronic devices.

• If you have a communication disability consider carrying printed cards or storing information on your devices to inform first responders and others how to communicate with you.

• For parents with children, have Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream

• For People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, use a Weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert). Extra hearing-aid batteries,pen and paper (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language)

• For People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision, mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.

• Keep communication devices for your particular needs, such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit

People

*Dress in warm, layered clothing, including gloves, a coat, and a hat when you are outside.

*Never leave children or the elderly in vehicles during cold weather, as they can act as refrigerators and expose anyone inside to sub-freezing temperatures.

*Never use a generator, grill, camp-stove, or any gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning device inside your home (or any enclosed area). These devices can generate carbon monoxide, which cannot be seen or smelled, but is deadly. Place generators at least 20 feet from windows, doors or vents.

Pets

BRING THEM INSIDE - Bring your pets indoors and provide them with dry shelter to protect them from the harsh weather conditions. If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them.

PAW CHECK - Snow and ice can burn your pet's sensitive paw pads. Make sure you wipe down your pet's feet, legs, and belly as soon as you are inside.

OUTDOOR CATS - Outdoor community cats may seek shelter from the cold in the warm engine of your car. Keep them safe by tapping on your car's hood before turning it on. If you are able to, provide the cat with an alternative shelter. Learn how to build your own feral cat shelter here: https://youtu.be/lpW69fNzcjc

CHEMICAL HAZARDS - Clean antifreeze spills or leaks to help avoid accidental poisoning by this common lethal chemical. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic seek veterinary care ASAP.

If you see a pet that is being left unattended in dangerous weather conditions for an extended period, please report it to the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce at 832-927-PAWS

For more cold-weather tips for pets, visit the ASPA's 'Cold Weather Safety Tips' webpage: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips

Pipes

During cold weather, pipes may freeze and rupture, causing water leaks and damage to your home. Protect your home by opening the cabinets under kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow air from your home's heater to warm the pipes under the sink.

Insulate outdoor faucets and pipes with insulation or newspaper, and be sure to disconnect and drain hoses from outdoor spigots.

Do NOT drip faucets, as this lowers the water pressure in Houston’s water system.

Plants

Protect plants from freezing by covering them with plant-cover fabric, or a light blanket with plastic sheeting on top of it.

Bring in potted plants or group them together, near the edge of a building. Remember that soil in containers can get just as cold as the air temperature, and cause the roots to freeze, even if the above-surface leafs survive.

Stay Informed For up-to-date weather information, visit the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston forecast office website: https://www.weather.gov/hgx.

While winter precipitation is not anticipated at this time, stay safe when driving in cold conditions. The Houston TranStar traffic map includes a layer that can display locations where ice has been reported on the freeways.

Download the app here:

iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/houston-transtar/id1228688011

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.houstontranstar.traffic&hl=en&pli=1

Encourage friends, family and neighbors to sign up for AlertHouston to receive the latest information on emergency and non-emergency events from the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management. Visit https://www.alerthouston.org to sign up.