Harris County emergency response activates to Level 3 due to winter weather

Harris County’s emergency operations center activated its Level 3 response Feb. 3 as the county faces cold weather, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

Hidalgo provided an update on the county judge’s social media page to reporters.

According to ReadyHarris, operated by the county’s emergency management division, Level 3 is defined as “hazardous conditions existing but provide no immediate threat.” Hidalgo said Level 3 meant multiple agencies were coordinating to identify at-risk areas and roads.

The Emergency Ops Center has moved Level III – Increase Readiness. We are monitoring the cold that is settling in across our region. Harris County is under a Winter Weather Advisory and Wind Chill Advisory.

Sign up for ReadyHarris Alerts here: https://t.co/qRUtRtAeTp #HOUwx pic.twitter.com/WbUrRLJljP

— Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (@ReadyHarris) February 3, 2022

Hidalgo said several homeless shelters were standing by and that county officials reached out to local homeless populations that were not comfortable sheltering, offering blankets. Residents who are in need of shelter should contact 211.

Hidalgo did not provide a list of shelters as some are in “varying levels of being able to stand up” for those in need and encouraged residents to call 211 if they need aid.

Residents are encouraged to avoid traveling the night of Feb. 3 as ice buildup is anticipated to begin in the late afternoon and accumulate overnight, Hidalgo said.

Hidalgo also reminded those staying in to make sure their plants and pets are brought inside and that exposed pipes are covered, although she noted pipe bursting is “not anticipated to be as much of a problem compared to last year.” Residents are also encouraged to check in on their neighbors, particularly the elderly or disabled, Hidalgo said.

ReadyHarris has a complete list of preparations that can be taken for cold weather.