Houston and Harris County leaders mentioned the area’s preparations for upcoming winter climate.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Harris County Choose Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor John Whitmire got here collectively Saturday to debate town and county’s preparations for upcoming winter climate.
The 2 leaders have been joined by the Harris County Hearth Marshal, the Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace, the Coalition for the Homeless, and representatives from the Harris County Workplace of Emergency Administration, the Texas Division of Transportation, CenterPoint Power and different neighborhood companions.
Harris County Meteorologist Jeff Lindner mentioned there are considerations about what varieties of winter precipitation will probably be seen within the area. He mentioned there is a risk to see icy rain, sleet and snow. Authorities are warning that the precipitation might create points on roads, not simply on freeways and overpasses.
Pipes are additionally an enormous concern throughout freezing climate. It is vital to ensure all outside pipes and uncovered pipes in attics are lined to assist forestall them from bursting. Chato Woddard with an area plumbers union mentioned to additionally keep in mind to close off your sprinkler’s backflow preventer. As soon as it is off, you must flip the screws to check the port. Water that is in it wunwell shoot out and also you’re completed.
When you’ve got a pool, be sure that these uncovered pipes are lined with towels and blankets. You also needs to put plastic over the towels or blanket to maintain precipitation out. Preserve the pool gear working so it does not have time to freeze.
Hidalgo urged Harris County residents to be ready to remain in place from Monday evening via the top of Wednesday and probably into Thursday. She requested employers within the county to be conscious of staff having to drive to work.
Leaders mentioned they don’t count on energy demand to be a difficulty throughout this climate occasion.
Metropolis and county leaders are engaged on warming facilities and shelters. As they arrive on-line, they are going to be listed on ReadyHarris.org. KHOU 11 can be monitoring warming facilities within the Houston space. Leaders mentioned they’re engaged on a transportation plan for many who need assistance attending to warming facilities. Metropolis of Houston warming facilities are scheduled to open Sunday at 6 p.m. For pets, BARC will probably be obtainable at warming facilities.
Hidalgo mentioned a name with college districts will happen on Sunday, after which extra info will probably be obtainable about closures.
Leaders urge residents to solely name 911 for emergencies.
Whitmire mentioned the Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday will go on whatever the climate. The town’s two MLK Parades are additionally nonetheless scheduled to go on Monday. A heavy police presence will probably be out for each occasions.
Harris County Hearth Marshal Laurie Christensen requested residents that in the event that they use a generator, to take action safely. Do not put them in your storage and hold them at the very least 10 toes away from your private home. As there may be precipitation anticipated, she mentioned do NOT contact turbines whereas they’re on.
For those who’re planning on utilizing an area heater, be sure that there’s a 3 toes area cleared round it and to not let pets or kids close to it.
Winter climate assets
A surge of arctic air Saturday evening is predicted to drop temperatures headed into Sunday morning. By the beginning of the Houston Marathon on Sunday, temperatures are forecast to be round 34 to 36 levels with a wind chill within the higher 20s.
By Monday morning, temperatures are anticipated to drop beneath freezing and into the 20s. There are remoted precipitation possibilities Monday evening, together with a mixture of rain and snow flurries.
Tuesday morning, the temps are anticipated to drop beneath freezing once more with an elevated and extra widespread probability for precipitation. The precipitation is predicted to final till 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.
The coldest temperatures of the week are anticipated Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning with temperatures probably dropping into the higher teenagers in Houston. Any melted precipitation may have refrozen into ice, probably creating hazardous street situations and slippery sidewalks.
Wednesday afternoon, the winds may have calmed down and something frozen will start to thaw out.
The KHOU 11 Climate Crew has issued a Climate Affect Alert on Tuesday and Wednesday.
