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Houston’s arctic freeze by the numbers: 4 deaths reported during cold front, but medical examiners to determine cause

File image of a frosty window in cold weather (Pixabay)

HOUSTON – The City of Houston released the numbers of emergency responses during this week’s arctic blast.

The city partnered with nonprofits like Lakewood Church, YMCA Greater Houston, the R.O.C.K. church, the American Red Cross, and the Houston Food Bank, as well as organizations like METRO and z-Trip to transport and warm nearly 2,000 people from January 15-17.

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At 2 p.m. Wednesday, the City of Houston closed warming center operations, with temperatures well above freezing and no threat of ice in the immediate forecast.

“I am immensely proud to be part of this City. From the employees and partner organizations to the resilient neighbors and community leaders, we demonstrated what it means to be Houston strong,” said Thomas Muñoz, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management. “The acts of kindness, self-sacrifice, and devotion for those who are in the greatest need will always remind me what makes Houston a national example in responding and recovering from disaster events.”

HPD responses

  • 123 confirmed weather-related crashes, of 372 reported crashes
  • 300 traffic hazard calls
  • 83 reports of ice on roadways
  • 25 Tow and Go calls
  • 95 animal cruelty calls.
  • 4 deceased individuals either due to foul play or weather, to be determined by the Medical Examiner

HFD responses

  • 34 medical events related to cold weather
  • 18 carbon monoxide calls
  • 110 home or building fires
  • 355 car crashes, including 15 requiring extrication

ARA/311/BARC responses

311 call-takers coordinated at least 345 free rides to and from warming centers during the cold weather event. Since Monday, the top 5 categories for 311 service requests have been :

Water Service 655 Service Requests

Water Leak 420 Service Requests

Water Main Valve 156 Service Requests

Traffic Signal Maintenance 124 Service Requests

Sewer Wastewater 108 Service Requests

BARC responded to 174 calls for service regarding animal welfare.

Houston Public Works responses

Houston Water had 182 work orders for water leaks and 107 completed repairs. All locations that have not been completed have repair dates scheduled. HPW does NOT have any open requests for road treatments. Water production and pressures are stable across the system. HPW is seeing an increase in demand due to some private and public water leaks. Very low number of calls to CAS for assistance to shut off water.


About the Author

Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up. He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing.

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