Official Houston Notice Roundup: Winter Weather and Public Health Advisories

Winter Weather Advisory: Travel Alerts for Winter Storm Fern

As of Friday, January 23, 2026, the City of Houston is advising residents of significant travel disruptions due to the approach of Winter Storm Fern. Major airlines operating out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), including Southwest, Spirit, and American Airlines, have issued official travel waivers. These waivers apply to passengers scheduled to travel between January 23 and January 26, 2026. Travelers are encouraged to rebook flights within the provided flexible windows as delays and cancellations are expected across the region due to severe winter weather conditions. Local authorities recommend monitoring road conditions, as icy surfaces and dangerous wind chills may impact the area through the weekend.

Public Health Advisory: CDC Screwworm and Product Safety

The Houston Health Department is echoing a nationwide health advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on January 20, 2026. This notice concerns the New World screwworm, a parasitic larva that has established a presence in the neighboring Mexican state of Tamaulipas. While no cases have been identified within the United States as of today, public health authorities are urging residents to take the following precautions:

• Keep all open wounds properly covered to prevent infestation.
• Treat outdoor gear and clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
• Report any suspected human or livestock cases to the local health department immediately.

Additionally, a standing recall remains in effect for all ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula due to a potential link to an infant botulism outbreak. Parents and caregivers are urged to stop use immediately and consult healthcare providers if their children show symptoms of illness.

Solid Waste Management: Revised Facility Hours

Residents are reminded that the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) has implemented new operating hours for Neighborhood Depositories and Environmental Service Centers as of January 2026. The updated schedule for local facilities is as follows:

• Neighborhood Depositories: Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Facilities are closed on Sunday and Monday.
• Environmental Service Center - South: Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The center is closed on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday.

City Council and Infrastructure Updates

Following the Houston City Council session on Wednesday, January 21, officials have processed critical items regarding municipal contracts and federal funding. A significant focus remains on a payment request tied to federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to ensure the city remains in compliance with federal guidelines. Furthermore, commuters should prepare for continued infrastructure work as part of the city's 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations. This includes ongoing freeway lighting repairs and the I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project, which continues to cause lane closures and traffic shifts near the downtown corridor to improve regional drainage and flood resilience.