Public Notice: Houston Activates Winter Readiness Protocols Ahead of Arctic Front
Winter Weather Advisory and Preparedness Notice
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management and Houston Public Works have officially activated winter weather protocols in anticipation of a significant Arctic front expected to impact the region this weekend. While Thursday, January 22, 2026, began with a dense fog advisory and unseasonably warm temperatures reaching the low 70s, residents are urged to use this window of mild weather to prepare for a hard freeze. Forecasts indicate that temperatures will plummet starting Friday evening, with sustained sub-freezing conditions likely from Saturday through Monday morning.
City crews are scheduled to begin brine treatment on 41 high-risk infrastructure locations, including elevated overpasses and bridges, approximately 24 hours before the freeze. Public Works Director Randy Macchi emphasized during a recent council briefing that while the city manages over 16,000 lane miles of roadway, resources will be prioritized for emergency access routes. Residents are advised to wrap exterior pipes, ensure pets have adequate shelter, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Travel is discouraged once freezing precipitation begins, as icy conditions are anticipated on elevated surfaces.
City Planning Commission Meeting
The Houston Planning Commission is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting today, Thursday, January 22, 2026. The session will address various plat submittals and variance requests essential to the city's ongoing development. This meeting follows a week of high-level discussions at City Hall regarding the 2026 Capital Improvement Plan and infrastructure fast-tracking ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Key items on the broader municipal agenda include the continued elevation of I-10 at White Oak Bayou to mitigate flooding and the ongoing beautification of the I-69 corridor.
Housing and Community Development Notices
The Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) has issued several public notices regarding the allocation of federal and local funds for affordable housing projects. Active notices for this week include the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Bernicia Place multifamily project, which utilizes CDBG-DR15 and Harvey Disaster Recovery funds. Additionally, the city has announced plans to allocate HOME investment partnership funds for the Trinity East Senior Village, a rental housing development aimed at providing affordable options for the city’s aging population. These projects are part of a broader effort to address housing stability and infrastructure resilience across the metro area.
Public Health and Utility Reminders
CenterPoint Energy has secured an additional 600 frontline workers to support emergency response efforts as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) remains in a Weather Watch status. The city reminds residents that during extreme cold events, space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from flammable materials and should never be left unattended. In the event of a power outage, the city will coordinate with local agencies to open warming centers; locations will be announced via official emergency channels if conditions necessitate.