Warming centers in Houston area open for freeze, arctic blast

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Pipes in homes all over Texas froze and burst during the winter storm of 2021 resulting in the biggest insurance claim event in the state's history. Phil Hollibaugh with ServiceMaster Restoration and Cleaning shows how to prep your outdoor pipes to avoid a disaster.

HOUSTON - As Houston-area residents brace themselves for colder-than-normal temperatures this week, officials have announced warming centers in the area folks can turn to.

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Here's a list of the warming centers announced so far.

Houston warming centers

Is the power grid ready for freezing temps this week?

Temperatures are dropping. Is there any reason to be concerned about the power grid?

The following locations will remain open until 9 a.m., Sunday, December 25.

Acres Homes MSC, 6719 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77091 with the current number of people at 29 as of 3 p.m.

George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall B, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas with the current number at 815 as of 3 p.m.

The following warming centers are closed as of noon, Saturday, December 24.

Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007

Moody Community Center, 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009

Working in partnership with METRO, all individuals remaining at Fonde and Moody Community Centers at 9 a.m. Saturday, will be taken to the GRB where they may remain until Sunday.

On Sunday, METRO will also remain available to transport individuals to a location of their choice.

Individuals in need of transportation may call 311.

The warming centers will continue to provide chairs, blankets, water, MREs, PPE, and comfort kits. Individuals may come and go as needed.

The American Red Cross is partnering with the City to provide volunteers to staff the warming centers and to distribute blankets and comfort kits to individuals.

Service animals are welcome at all warming centers, and BARC is providing kennels and limited pet food.

The Houston Police Department and homeless outreach teams from various, partner agencies of The Way Home (the Houston region’s homeless response system) will continue to notify individuals experiencing homelessness of the availability of warming centers.

Green House International Church warming center

Green House International Church is opening a warming center beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21. The church is located at 200 W Greens Rd, 77067.

There will be hundreds of cots as well as meals.

Lakewood Church warming center

Due to below-freezing temperatures expected in Houston this week, Lakewood Church will be open as a warming center for those in need beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday. Lakewood Church is located at 3700 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 7702.

Lakewood has closed as a warming center as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24.

Galveston warming centers

• The McGuire Dent Recreation Center on 2222 28th Street in Galveston will be open on Thursday starting at 6 p.m. The facility has a backup generator and will remain open until noon on Saturday, or as necessary. The City of Galveston asks folks to bring their own snacks, as no food will be served.

• The Salvation Army on 601 51st Street in Galveston will expand their usual hot dinners and emergency overnight shelter needs to open during the day as a warming center as well. Their dining room will open starting at 7 a.m. Friday to anyone who needs a place to sit down and thaw out. Packed lunches will be provided, and a hot dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Movies and board games will also be available for entertainment. Anyone who needs an overnight stay can check in starting at 6 P.M. every night.

Fort Bend County warming centers

The Friends of North Rosenberg Neighborhood Resource Center will open as a warming center from at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, until 8:30 a.m. Friday. Maximum occupancy is 40 people, and transportation will not be provided. The center is located at 1908 Avenue E, Rosenberg, TX 77471.

Fort Bend County Health and Human Services announced they will offer 100 blankets to low-income or homeless citizens. Residents in need of blankets may contact Fort Bend County Social Services at 281-238-3502 or Veterans Service at 281-341-4550.