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Friends, I hope you've been staying safe and warm. My team and I are continuing to respond to resident inquiries and are monitoring atlarge5@houstontx.gov.
Weather
Later tonight and early Tuesday morning could see temperatures near 9°. Weather forecasts show Houston temperatures reaching above freezing on Wednesday. No more precipitation or snow is expected until Wednesday.
The city is operating warming centers and organizing additional warming options, which can be accessed by calling 311 or (713) 837-0311. Please take this time to check in on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly or disabled. Weather updates can be found at weather.gov or Space City Weather.
Power
There are 1.2 million people in the Houston area without power as of 2:00 P.M. this afternoon. The electric grid is controlled by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), not CenterPoint or the city. Several power generating facilities are offline, causing a reduced power supply. Although rolling blackouts were originally planned to conserve power, the reduced supply has led to widespread outages. It's uncertain when power will be completely restored in the Houston area, possibly late tonight or tomorrow.
For those without power, try to conserve warmth by closing off unused rooms and layering up. If you do have power, please turn your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. Please unplug any unnecessary devices and keep your blinds open during the day to take advantage of the sun's warmth. If you are in need of power for medical reasons, please call 311.
Water
Houston’s water and wastewater systems are experiencing low pressure. To help maintain water pressure in the system during this winter weather event, please use water only for essential tasks and help conserve water by not running washing machines or dishwashers.
If you have heat, 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. Once temperatures rise above freezing and power is restored, these are the best ways to thaw frozen water pipes:
- Open cabinet doors to circulate heat
- Use hair dryers, heat lamps or portable space heaters
- DO NOT USE open flames and/or propane torches (fire hazard)
Continue to conserve water after pipes have thawed.
TxDOT and the city are working to clear the transportation network, but resources are limited and streets are still dangerous. Roadways, especially elevated ones, remain hazardous. Please do not travel unless it is an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra blanket, flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case you become stranded.
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