Houston Mayor John Whitmire has warned residents to remain at home and avoid unnecessary travel from Saturday through Tuesday as the city braces for a potentially severe winter storm.
City officials say an arctic front is expected to move into Texas after midweek rain, bringing extremely cold temperatures and the possibility of icy conditions across the Houston area. Emergency Management Director Brian Mason told city council members that residents should prepare for “bone-chilling cold,” with temperatures dropping into the low 20s and even the upper teens. Wind chills could fall into the low teens or single digits.
While the exact amount of precipitation and ice remains uncertain, Mason cautioned that the developing system is raising serious concerns. He said the storm’s early indicators resemble the devastating winter storm of 2021, though he stopped short of predicting a repeat of that disaster. Mason stressed that preparation is key, reminding residents that the 2021 storm left millions without power, forced widespread boil-water notices, and resulted in hundreds of deaths across Texas.
City officials say they are not currently expecting major power outages, but coordination is underway with CenterPoint Energy as a precaution. Mayor Whitmire confirmed that Houston began activating its emergency response teams and department leadership as early as last weekend.
All city warming centers will be open during the cold spell, including four facilities equipped with generators to operate during potential outages. The mayor emphasized that the situation is serious and said conditions are being monitored on an hourly basis.
Public Works Director Randy Macchi advised residents not to drip their pipes and said the city will begin treating roads for ice approximately 24 hours before the storm arrives. Crews will focus on 41 priority locations, including bridges, overpasses, and elevated roadways.
Macchi noted that the city does not own snowplows but can request assistance from the Texas Department of Transportation if necessary. He added that water and wastewater plants are expected to remain operational, with crews on standby to respond to any issues affecting infrastructure or road safety.
Mayor Whitmire is expected to deliver additional updates later this week as forecasts become clearer and preparations continue.
