The YMCA of Greater Houston said in a news release Feb. 19 is the last day for its warming stations to be open during Houston's freezing weather that week. Locations in Harris County open on Feb. 19 are:
Houston Texans YMCA, 5205 Griggs Road, Houston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St., Houston. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lake Houston Family YMCA, 2420 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
D. Bradley McWilliams YMCA at Cypress Creek, 19915 Hwy. 249, Houston. 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
In addition, CenterPoint will deliver 100 cases of water to the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA and Houston Texans YMCA on Feb. 19.
1:35 p.m. Feb. 17
As near- and subfreezing temperatures continue through the end of the week amid widespread power outages, numerous warming stations have opened at community centers, churches and other locations in Harris County and throughout Texas.
The Texas Department of Emergency Management released a map of warming centers and said on its website additional information and resources are available to residents calling 2-1-1. Locally, information in Harris County is available by calling 3-1-1 for individuals seeking information on the nearest available shelter.
Due to continuing power and water outages, not all of the listed locations were necessarily still operational, however. As of the afternoon of Feb. 17, the Houston Texas YMCA posted on Facebook it was closed through Feb. 18, and the George R. Brown Convention Center was reportedly at capacity, according to a Twitter post by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Feb. 16.
As of Feb. 17, here are locations in Harris County listed on the map provided by TDEM.
Additional resources may be available aside from those announced by TDEM.
Several locations have posted on social media that they are looking for additional support to keep the centers up and running.
Copperfield Church on Hwy. 6 has an online signup sheet for volunteers, according to a Feb. 17 Facebook post. A call to the church could not immediately be completed when attempted at 2 p.m. to verify the information.
Gallery Furniture also posted on social media that it is open and able to provide a warm place with food for those in need.
As of mid-day Feb. 17, Lakewood Church posted midday that it had sheltered 400 people the night before and was still open, though water pressure was low.If you are in need of a warm place to stay and a meal, please stop by the 6006 N. Freeway showroom. We are open for business if you need furniture or mattresses, but most importantly we want everyone to stay safe and warm. Give us a call at 713-694-5570 with any questions. pic.twitter.com/2DSEcHzSFT
— @MattressMack (@MattressMack) February 17, 2021
Residents seeking shelter or a warming station are advised to confirm that locations are open before heading to them, as the TDEM map includes some locations that have not confirmed their availability since Feb. 15.Lakewood continues to be a warming shelter for those in need. Nearly 400 stayed last night alone. As with the entire City of Houston, we are very low on water pressure, but we will all get through this storm together.
— Lakewood Church (@lakewoodchurch) February 17, 2021
