Updated 10:10 a.m. Feb. 19
The YMCA of Greater Houston announced The Woodlands Family YMCA at Branch Crossing, 8100 Ashlane Way, The Woodlands, will be open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 19 as a warming center. Feb. 19 was the last day for the YMCA warming centers to be open, according to a news release.
Updated 5 p.m. Feb. 17
The Woodlands Township on Feb. 17 announced the Rob Fleming Recreation Center is open as a warming center at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands. The location is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until the winter storm passes, according to a township news release. Due to COVID-19 protocols, capacity is limited to 75 people. The center is heated and can provide electricity for charging phones. Restrooms, hand sanitizer and soap is available, but showers are not available, according to the release. Bottled water and snacks are available while supplies last, the township stated. Social distancing and masks are required, according to the release.
Updated 9 a.m. Feb. 17
Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported overnight on Feb. 16 that the Lone Star Convention Center warming center location closed due to a water outage.
5 p.m. Feb. 16
Warming centers in Montgomery County are offering places for people to thaw out amid the week's continued deep freeze and power outages, according to the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and other agencies.
Texas Department of Transportation also released a map of warming centers statewide. Although none listed were in Montgomery County as of 4 p.m. Feb. 16, Montgomery County officials released information about local centers earlier in the day.
MCOHSEM Executive Director Jason Millsaps said earlier Feb. 16 the four locations listed by the county were still in operation and would be open all night. Those locations were as follows.
- Under Over Fellowship, 600 S. Frazier St, Conroe
- Church Project, 602 Pruitt Road, The Woodlands
- Lone Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road, Conroe
- Madeley Ranch Elementary, 3500 Madeley Ranch Road, Montgomery
"There is water and snacks available and tables to sit at. ... It is not set up as a shelter but only a warming center. It’s open 24/7 until no longer needed," said John Shaw, pastor of city missions and integration at Church Project. Shaw said that as of early Feb. 16, only about a half dozen people had used the site, but he said he expects more throughout the day.
Dave Droll, a community member and the leader of the Hope Beyond Bridges homeless ministry, said cots and blankets had been provided through MCOHSEM and that water and snacks were provided by Montgomery County Food Bank. Wellness checks, COVID-19 screenings and personal protective equipment are also available, he said.
Additionally, The Salvation Army Conroe, located at 304 Ave. E, Conroe, will remain open until Friday as a warming center, a representative responded when reached via a Facebook message. The facility will assess the weather Feb. 19 to determine whether it will remain open for additional time, according to the message.
The city of Shenandoah posted information about a warming center at City Hall at 29955 I-45, Shenandoah, on Feb. 15, and officials confirmed Feb. 16 it would reopen Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Communications Manager Debbie Pilcher said in an email the center is not staffed, but individuals can warm up, charge their phones or heat food in microwaves. People may bring bedding to sleep, but no cots are available, she said.
City offices were closed Feb. 16.
This story was updated to reflect new information from the city of Shenandoah.
