Houston Braces for Dangerous Winter Storm: Freezing Rain, Potential Power Outages, and Warming Centers Prepared Across Harris County
As Southeast Texas braces for its coldest and potentially most hazardous weather of the season, local officials and emergency agencies are calling on residents to finalize their winter preparations before the storm arrives this weekend.
The National Weather Service - Houston/Galveston has issued a Winter Storm Watch for most of Southeast Texas from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon, followed by an Extreme Cold Watch from Sunday evening through Monday. These alerts warn of accumulating freezing rain, dangerous wind chills between 5°F and 15°F, and extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures that could impact roads, power, and public safety.
Coldest Air Mass of the Season: Freezing Rain, Ice Accumulation, and Power Risks
Forecasters expect freezing rain and sleet beginning Saturday morning, with the highest risk of ice in the Piney Woods and Brazos Valley. However, ice accumulation is also possible as far south as the Houston metro and coastal areas. Elevated roads, bridges, and overpasses are likely to freeze first, and wind gusts of 20–30 mph may further stress power lines and tree limbs, increasing the chance of weather-related power outages.
A hard freeze is likely Sunday night into Tuesday morning, with many inland areas possibly remaining below freezing for over 24 consecutive hours, a condition that increases the likelihood of burst pipes and hazardous refreezing on roads.
Sheriff’s Office, Local Agencies on High Alert and Assisting Vulnerable Populations
In advance of the Houston weekend freeze, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office have activated cold-weather emergency plans. Rescue vehicles are ready for deployment, and deputies have already been conducting outreach in areas like 1960 and I-45 North, providing blankets, food, and safety checks to vulnerable residents, including those without permanent shelter.
“Our deputies are not only focused on emergency response—they’re also checking in with residents and helping our neighbors stay safe and warm,” Sheriff Gonzalez’s office stated in a release.
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Warming Centers Open Across Houston and Harris County
To ensure residents have access to heat and shelter, multiple warming centers are now open across Houston and Harris County, operated by the City of Houston, Harris County Precincts, and the American Red Cross. These centers offer food, water, cots, blankets, and warmth to anyone in need.
City of Houston Warming Centers (Open 24/7 through Thursday, Jan. 23)
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Acres Homes Multi-Service Center | 719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77091 |
| Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center | 6402 Market St., Houston, TX 77007 |
| Fonde Community Center | 110 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007 |
| Kashmere Multi-Service Center | 4802 Lockwood Dr., Houston, TX 77026 |
| Magnolia Multi-Service Center | 7037 Capitol St., Houston, TX 77011 |
| Metropolitan Multi-Service Center | 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019 |
| Moody Community Center | 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009 |
| Northeast Multi-Service Center | 9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016 |
| Southwest Multi-Service Center | 6400 High Star Dr. 77074 |
| Sunnyside Multi-Service Center | 4410 Reed Road, 77051 |
Red Cross Shelters
Hours of Operation: Open until midday Thursday, January 23 (subject to change)
| Name | Address | Pets Allowed | Available Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingwood First Baptist Church | 3500 Woodland Hills Dr. Kingwood, TX 77047 | No | Food, Water, Cots, & Blankets |
| Tom Bass Community Center | 15108 Cullen Blvd. Houston, TX 77047 | No | Food, Water, Cots, & Blankets |
| Leon Grayson / Baldree Community Center | 13828 Corpus Christi St. Houston, TX 77015 | Yes | Food, Water, Cots, & Blankets |
| Bayland Community Center | 6400 Bissonnet St. Houston, TX 77074 | Yes (crated animals only) | Food, Water, Cots, & Blankets |
Harris County Daytime Warming Centers
Hours of Operation: Open 7 AM – 8 PM, hours vary (subject to change)
| Name | Address | Pets Allowed | Available Resources | Operational Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Park Community Center Precinct 1 | 979 Grenshaw St Houston, TX 77088 | No | Water and MREs | 7 AM to 7 PM |
| Bay Area Community Center Precinct 2 | 5002 E. NASA PKWY Seabrook, TX | Yes | Water, MREs, and Snacks | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center Precinct 2 | 10918 1/2 Bentley St. Houston, TX 77093 | No | Water, MREs, and Snacks | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| East Harris County Activity Center Precinct 2 | 7340 Spencer Hwy Pasadena, TX 77505 | No | Water, MREs, and Snacks | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| JD Walker Community Center Precinct 2 | 7613 Wade Rd. Baytown, TX 77521 | No | Water, MREs, and Snacks | 8 AM to 6 PM |
| Bayland Burnett Community Center Precinct 4 | 6026 Chimney Rock Rd Houston, TX 77081 | Yes (crated animals only) | - | 8 AM to 8 PM |
| Steve Radack Community Center Precinct 4 | 18650 Clay Rd. Houston, TX 77084 | Yes (crated animals only) | - | 8 AM to 8 PM |
Harris County Daytime Community Centers
| Name | Address | Pets Allowed | Operational Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrett Station/Riley Chambers Community Center Precinct 3 | 909 1/2 Magnolia Ave. Houston, TX 77532 | No | 10 AM - 6 PM |
| Crosby Community Center Precinct 3 | 409 Hare Rd. Crosby, TX 77532 | No | 10 AM - 6 PM |
| George H.W. Bush Community Center Precinct 3 | 6827 Cypresswood Dr. Spring, TX 77373 | No | 10 AM - 6 PM |
| Juergen's Hall Community Center Precinct 3 | 26026 Hempstead Rd. Cypress, TX 77429 | No | 10 AM - 6 PM |
| San Jacinto/Highlands Community Center Precinct 3 | 604 Highland Woods Dr. Highlands, TX 77562 | No | 10 AM - 6 PM |
| Trini Mendenhall Community Center Precinct 3 | 1414 Wirt Rd. Houston, TX 77055 | No | 10 AM - 6 PM |
Transportation: If you need a ride to a warming center in the City of Houston, call 3-1-1 to request a Z-Trip ride. These rides are available through Monday night or until roads become unsafe.
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Outreach to People Experiencing Homelessness
Coalition for the Homeless (CFTH), as the lead agency for The Way Home Continuum of Care, has been coordinating with outreach teams, the City of Houston, and Harris County to ensure unsheltered individuals receive cold-weather supplies and transport to warming centers. Updates are posted regularly on homelesshouston.org.
How You Can Prepare
Residents are urged to complete winterization efforts by Friday afternoon, including:
- Wrapping pipes and outdoor faucets
- Bringing pets indoors
- Checking on elderly neighbors
- Avoiding travel Saturday night through Monday
- Preparing for possible power outages
Visit weather.gov/houston for forecast updates, and follow @NWSHouston and @ReadyHarris on social media for real-time alerts.
For winter safety tips, including how to prevent hypothermia and how to drive safely on icy roads, visit weather.gov/safety/winter.
Community Comes First
As this powerful arctic front pushes through, public safety remains a collaborative effort across agencies and neighborhoods. From deputies going door-to-door, to shelters opening their doors, Houston is once again showing its resilience and readiness to help one another weather the storm.
Stay safe, stay warm, and stay informed.
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.
