Winter Weather Alert: Houston to Open 12 Warming Centers Ahead of Arctic Blast
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
People seeking shelter from below freezing temperatures rest inside a church warming center Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Houston.
Winter Weather Alert: 12 Warming Centers to Open Ahead of Arctic Blast
The City of Houston has announced that it will open 12 temporary warming centers on Wednesday evening ahead of an arctic blast that is expected to bring freezing temperatures and strong winds to the area.
Temperatures to Drop Below Freezing
Temperatures dropped overnight Tuesday, dipping to as low as 34 degrees in some parts of the city. On Thursday, it will only get colder, as temperatures as low as 27 degrees are projected to sweep through Houston overnight. Wind chill values will reach the teens around 6 a.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Warming Centers to Open
Twelve temporary warming centers will open at 6 p.m. Wednesday for those seeking shelter from the cold. The centers will remain open until 8 a.m. Friday, according to a City of Houston news release.
City-Operated Warming Centers
• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center: 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
• Northeast Multi-Service Center: 9720 Spaulding St.
• Kashmere Multi-Service Center: 4802 Lockwood Dr.
• Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St.
• Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St.
• Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center: 6402 Market St.
• Magnolia Multi-Service Center: 7037 Capitol St.
• Metropolitan Multi-Service Center: 1475 W. Gray St.
• Southwest Multi-Service Center: 6400 High Star Dr.
• Sunnyside Multi-Service Center: 4410 Reed Rd.
• Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center: 4014 Market St.
• Third Ward Multi-Service Center: 3611 Ennis St.
Additional Shelter Options
The Bayland Community Center at 6400 Bissonnet St. will open as a 24-hour shelter from 6 p.m. Wednesday until Friday through a partnership between the American Red Cross and Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones. Crated pets are welcome at the shelter, according to Briones’ office.
Ride-Sharing Services Available
Ride-hailing services will be available to those who need a ride to the city-operated warming centers on Wednesday. Individuals needing assistance should call 3-1-1, according to the city.
City Official’s Warning
“If we use common sense and make preparations, this should not be a life-threatening arctic blast,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said during a news conference Tuesday. “There’s going to be very little or no moisture after tonight, so when it starts freezing [Wednesday] night … the main concerns are going to be our vulnerable citizens.”
Mental Health Support
Mental health case workers will be stationed at the Fonde and Metropolitan warming centers on Wednesday. The Northeast multi-service center will be designated primarily for families, Whitmire said.
A Second Time Around
This will be the second time the city has opened warming centers amid freezing temperatures this year. The city was late to open warming centers during a freeze in January, citing an existing city policy from 2020 that calls for warming centers to open only when temperatures drop to 24 degrees or 15-degree wind chill for at least two hours. The city “worked around” the policy to eventually open the centers in January.
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Death at Houston Bus Stop
Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) officials said that a man discovered dead at a Houston bus stop in the Second Ward in January died from cold weather-related conditions. His cause of death was still pending Wednesday, according to the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
**Frequently Asked Questions**
Q: What are the 12 warming centers opening on Wednesday?
A: The 12 warming centers are listed above.
Q: How can I get to the warming centers?
A: Ride-hailing services will be available, and individuals can call 3-1-1 for assistance.
Q: What is the criteria for opening warming centers?
A: The city’s policy requires temperatures to drop to 24 degrees or 15-degree wind chill for at least two hours.
Q: What other options are available for those seeking shelter?
A: The Bayland Community Center will also be open as a 24-hour shelter, and crated pets are welcome.
