Harris Co. Judge Hidalgo says window to prep for storm has closed

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the time is now to hunker down ahead of the extreme winter weather the county is receiving this evening.

She and other local officials provided residents with a plan on how to prepare for the freezing rain, sleet and snow moving into the region.

Other leaders include Harris County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Sloan, Meteorologist and Director of Flood Operations Jeff Lindner, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

“The window to prepare for this historic storm has closed,” Hidalgo said. “The time to hunker down is here. This is the beginning of an incredibly challenging couple of days for our region.”

As of Sunday evening, a Winter Storm Warning has been issued area-wide across SE Texas and is expected to last through Monday afternoon.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner had already urged people to stay off the roads starting this evening, saying errands or any other essential chores should be completed by now.

City leaders across the region also asked residents to prepare their homes ahead of the storm. Hidalgo also urged that the prolonged extreme cold will cause pipes to burst, potential power outages and dangerous outdoor conditions.

Hidalgo has announced a Disaster Declaration for Harris County.

“The declaration will allow our emergency officials the flexibility to prepare and respond to the situation,” she said.

She also ordered the emergency center at TranStar to activate to a level one, the highest level, “to ensure we are ready to fully coordinate and respond across the county.”

Warming stations and shelters are now open throughout the Houston area.

Besides the George R. Brown Convention Center, Hidalgo also said there are nine smaller warming center in the county.

“These are shelters of last resort,” she said. “So if you have a home, please don’t seek out these shelters.”

If residents lose power, which is a possibility, she urged people to stay home.

“We’ll get through this, and we’ll get through this together.” she said.