Greater Houston Area Prepares for Final Freeze as Power Holds Steady and Crews Stay on Alert
Southeast Texas is bracing for what is expected to be the last night of dangerously cold weather, with another Hard Freeze Warning in effect through Tuesday morning. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Houston/Galveston reports wind chills dipping as low as 5 to 15 degrees and continued subfreezing conditions throughout the night, especially in rural and northern parts of the region.
While the sun helped thaw some areas during the day, any moisture left behind is expected to refreeze, making roads slick once again tonight. Officials stress that residents should continue to avoid travel if possible, particularly during the evening and overnight hours.
“Any other locations with wet roads, even if there is melting today, will see that moisture freeze tonight,” stated the NWS in its winter weather briefing.
Power Update: CenterPoint Reports Over 99% of Customers Maintained Electricity
Despite freezing conditions, high winds, and scattered wintry precipitation, the vast majority of Houston-area residents have kept power through the storm. CenterPoint Energy confirmed that as of Sunday afternoon, more than 99% of customers remained online, with less than 2,000 experiencing outages out of the 2.9 million they serve across 12 counties.
More than 30,000 outages have been resolved since Saturday morning. In a show of confidence in its system’s stability, CenterPoint released over 500 contract electric workers to assist in states hit harder by the winter storm.
“Our system continues to perform well, but tonight and tomorrow are forecasted to be hard freezes hovering around 20 degrees, which may impact our equipment in some places,” said Nathan Brownell, CenterPoint’s Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery. “We are currently responding to any outages safely and as quickly as we can."
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CenterPoint Energy remains fully mobilized, with 2,800 electric and gas personnel actively monitoring conditions and responding to service interruptions. More than 700 frontline natural gas workers are also standing by.
Customers are encouraged to monitor local conditions through CenterPoint’s Outage Tracker and sign up for Power Alert Service® to receive real-time updates on outages and estimated restoration times. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter for more.
Warming Centers Remain Open, Shelters Closing Tuesday
Multiple warming centers and overnight shelters remain open across Harris County, with locations available at ReadyHarris.org. Residents in need of shelter or warmth tonight are encouraged to seek assistance before 5 a.m. Tuesday, when transportation services will stop. All six Red Cross shelters will close by noon on Tuesday, January 27.
For transport assistance, call 3-1-1. Officials also remind the public to use 9-1-1 for emergencies only, as first responders are navigating high call volumes and icy roadways.
Protect People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants
As bitter cold lingers, residents are strongly urged to take action to prevent home damage and personal injury:
Prevent Frozen or Burst Pipes
- Keep faucets dripping.
- Open cabinets under sinks to circulate warm air.
- Insulate exposed outdoor pipes.
- Know how to shut off your main water line in case of a burst: bit.ly/4r8Lztt.
- Call a professional if you suspect a frozen or burst pipe.
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Signs of a Burst Pipe
- Low water pressure
- Frost build-up
- Damp spots on walls or ceilings
- Strange smells from faucets or drains
Space Heater & Generator Safety
- Keep heaters 3 feet away from anything flammable.
- Plug directly into wall outlets – never use extension cords.
- Turn off heaters when unattended or sleeping.
- Operate generators at least 15–20 feet from windows or doors.
- Never use grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors to heat your home.
- Install and test carbon monoxide detectors.
Cold Weather Outlook: Gradual Warming, Another Freeze Possible Later This Week
According to the NWS Five-Day Outlook, temperatures are expected to rise into the 50s and 60s by midweek, with overnight lows still flirting with freezing through Thursday. Another light freeze is possible Thursday night, as another cold front moves into the area.
“Either way, temperatures and wind chills will be dangerously low without adequate cold protection tonight,” notes the NWS.
(Source: NWS - Houston/Galveston)Stay Informed
- Text FREEZE to 888-777 for weather updates.
- Visit ReadyHarris.org for shelter info and winter safety tips.
- Track power outages at CenterPointEnergy.com.
- Follow trusted local sources like @ReadyHarris and @NWSHouston on social media.
As the Greater Houston area endures one final frigid night, officials stress that continued awareness, preparation, and caution remain key to staying safe and warm.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
