Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the hard freeze coming to the region the night of Dec. 22 will not be as severe as Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 during a news conference Dec. 20.

Temperatures will dip below 24 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods for three nights and three mornings, but precipitation is not in the forecast, according to Hidalgo.

“This hard freeze is something we face about once every five years or so, and it's something we can handle so long as we work together,” Hidalgo said.

According to Hidalgo, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas has made assurances that residents should not expect widespread power outages and that it is well prepared to handle the hard freeze coming to the region.

Turner said CenterPoint Energy would not disconnect residents’ power and added the Houston Public Works Department is taking precautions to keep its facilities up and running.

According to Turner, the following five locations will serve as warming centers beginning Dec. 22 at 3 p.m.:

• Fonde Community Center, 110 Sabine St., Houston
• Moody Community Center, 3725 Fulton St., Houston
• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Road, Houston
• George R. Brown Convention Center, Hall B, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston
• Houston Recovery Center for Houston Police Department use at 150 N Chenevert St., Houston

Turner said the locations are not shelters but will provide blankets, chairs, water and snacks and are open to pets. Turner said Lakewood Church will also serve as a warming center.

According to Turner, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County will be operating on a normal schedule.

Visit https://www.readyharris.org/ for more information.