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Houston: Mayor Whitmire Urges Continued Caution During Winter Weather

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~ Houston, TX - As the winter freeze continues to grip the city, Mayor John Whitmire held a press conference on Sunday morning at the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management to provide updates and urge caution among Houstonians. The mayor emphasized the importance of staying off roads and exercising caution in the cold weather.

With ice buildup still a possibility on area roads and bone-chilling temperatures posing a risk to vulnerable residents, Mayor Whitmire urged citizens to remain cautious. He also provided updates on public safety, infrastructure, power outages, and the city's 12 warming centers.

"I was out until 2 a.m. Sunday checking on our warming centers and greeting our guests," said Mayor Whitmire. "More than 940 people sought warmth from the bitter cold. I'm grateful to our city employees and volunteers at each warming center, as well as organizations like the Houston Food Bank, American Red Cross Houston, and Islamic Relief for providing food and resources during this time."

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The city's 12 warming centers will remain open 24/7 until further notice. Thanks to a partnership with CenterPoint Energy, each center is now equipped with a generator to ensure that power and heat are maintained during the freeze.

Mayor Whitmire personally visited each of the warming centers on Saturday night to check on their operations.

In addition to urging caution on roads, Houstonians were also advised to limit driving on Sunday evening due to moisture freezing on roadways, especially on elevated ramps and bridges.

"If you have to travel, drive slowly and monitor road conditions," said Police Chief Noe Diaz. "Don't let the sunlight fool you. There are still wet patches. If you must be on the road, slow down to travel safely."

Overnight, the Houston Fire Department responded to eight calls for possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.

"Beware of carbon monoxide risks," warned Fire Chief Thomas Munoz. "Use space heaters with caution, do not heat your home with an oven or BBQ, and only run generators at least four feet away from your home to eliminate the possibility of carbon monoxide entering the house."

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Due to the inclement weather and hazardous travel conditions, all City of Houston non-emergency offices will be closed on Monday, January 26. However, City of Houston 9-11 and emergency personnel will remain on duty.

There will also be no curbside pickup for Monday (1/26) for Houston Solid Waste. All facilities and drop-off centers will also be closed.

Houston Municipal Courts will also be closed on Monday (1/26), but citizens can visit houstontx.gov/courts for information on resetting their cases.

The BARC Animal Shelter will be closed to surrenders and intakes on Monday, January 26. However, staff will still be present to care for animals currently in their care.

Houston Public Works crews will continue to assess and treat 41 high priority roadways to ensure that police and fire can respond to emergencies and maintain access into the Texas Medical Center.

Citizens are encouraged to stay updated on weather conditions and closures through the city's website and social media channels. The mayor also reminded everyone to check on their neighbors, especially those who may be more vulnerable during this winter freeze.

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