Mayor Whitmire provides update on winter storm along with Houston-area public safety leaders

HOUSTON – Mayor John Whitmire joined leaders Tuesday from the Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, Houston Public Works, the Office of Emergency Management, and others to provide an update on the weather conditions and the city’s preparedness and response operations.

• The ERCOT grid is back to ‘green’ as Houston remains in a deep freeze

Whitmire was joined by Chief Troy Finner of the Houston Police Department, Chief Samuel Peña of the Houston Fire Department, Chief George Buenik from Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Chief Thomas Muñoz, the Emergency Management Coordinator, Carol Haddock, the Director of Houston Public Works, Stephen Williams, Director of Houston Health and Kenneth Allen, Director of Houston Parks.

• Stay warm: Houston-area warming centers open during this week’s hard freeze

The mayor said there were no weather-related deaths caused by accidents overnight. He did say there were at least three deaths but unrelated to the weather. However, one is still under investigation.

Overnight incidents in the Houston area by the numbers:

• According to officials, 900 people showed up at the warming centers. There are currently 572 and centers will remain open overnight until 8 a.m. Wednesday.
• 251 vehicle accidents that were weather-related. No serious injuries or deaths were reported.
• There were 67 calls related to animal cruelty.
• HPD Chief Finner said there was one arrest at the warming center at Greenhouse after two people got into an argument and one person threatened to kill the other.
• There were three deaths overnight that were non-weather related.

Whitmire said the numbers show that Houstonians stayed inside and off the roads as asked. He said if residents do plan to drive, to continue to look out for icy spots and be careful.

HPF Chief Pena said the fire departments received multiple carbon monoxide calls but no deaths. He said the roads were dangerous overnight and will remain hazardous because they are expected to refreeze.

Pena asked those who are using space heaters to not leave them unattended.

Officials with the city of Houston said the water system stayed strong as well as its pressure. Officials have seen an uptick in the amount of water being pulled, possibly due to leaks in pipes. They expect to see more as pipes continue to thaw out.

After the news conference, Whitmire visited one of the eight warming centers.

RELATED STORIES

• More than 100 ice-related crashes reported in the Houston area overnight: How to drive safely in arctic freeze
• Track the Texas power grid: Watch ERCOT’s current grid conditions in real-time
• Ways to keep your furry friends safe, warm in the winter
• ERCOT requests for TCEQ to not fine power providers for pollution during arctic blast