The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is monitoring a cold front that is expected to move through our area this evening. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), cold temperatures and low wind chills will develop Wednesday morning and continue through Friday morning. Wednesday night through Thursday morning will be the coldest period of the forecast, with wind chills in the low 20s possible. An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect for Thursday morning, which means dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible. Residents should monitor the latest forecast daily and remain weather aware.

Warming Center Information:
Partners in Harris County will open warming centers beginning Wednesday evening. People needing transportation to a warming center can call 3-1-1 for assistance. Visit the Overnight Warming Centers map for location information and hours of operation updates.

Protect the “Four P’s”: People, pets, pipes, and plants.

People:
• Keep warm, stay inside if possible.
• Add layers to help keep you warm as the temperature drops.
• Check in with elderly family and neighbors to see if they need help.

Pets:
• Bring pets inside and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas.
• Keep adequate food and water available.

Pipes:
• Protect any exposed outdoor pipes

Plants:
• Bring potted plants inside or store them in a garage near the interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from wind.
• For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, put down extra mulch and consider covering them with a cloth or fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.

Heater Safety:
Portable space heaters are often used to heat rooms and homes. If not used properly, they can cause fires, severe injuries, and death. If using a portable heater, remember these important safety tips:

• Keep heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including furniture, carpets, curtains, and people.
• Place heaters on solid, non-flammable surfaces.
• Never block exits with a heater and keep them out of the way of foot traffic.
• Keep children away from heaters.
• Always plug heaters directly into wall outlets – NEVER use an extension cord.
• Turn off and unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.

Follow local media for forecast updates and stay informed on how to prepare for extreme cold weather by following HCOHSEM updates atReadyHarris.org, on social media, and by signing up for ReadyHarris Alerts or ReadyHarris Accessible Alerts.