Public Notice: Winter Weather Service Disruptions and Emergency Advisories for Jan. 26

City Operations and Facility Closures

Due to the ongoing impacts of the winter storm and hazardous road conditions, Mayor John Whitmire has announced that all non-emergency City of Houston offices will remain closed on Monday, January 26, 2026. Essential personnel, including 9-1-1 and emergency responders, will continue normal operations. Residents are advised that Houston Municipal Courts are also closed for the day; all trials and hearings scheduled for Monday will be reset. Case resets will be handled in person at all court locations beginning Tuesday, January 27, through February 3, 2026.

Solid Waste Collection Suspended

The Solid Waste Management Department has suspended all residential collection services for Monday, January 26. This includes curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup. Additionally, all department facilities—including neighborhood depositories, recycling centers, and administrative offices—are closed. Collection schedules will be pushed back by one day once operations resume, pending a safety assessment of roadway conditions on Tuesday morning.

METRO Transit Restoration Schedule

Houston METRO is beginning a phased restoration of services today, January 26, as weather conditions stabilize. The current schedule for service resumption is as follows:

• 9:00 AM: Reopening of HOV and HOT lanes.
• 11:00 AM: Resumption of METROLift, curb2curb, and Community Connector services.
• 12:00 PM: Local bus service and the 500 Downtown Direct route will resume operations, conditions permitting.
• Park & Ride services remain suspended for the duration of Monday.

Warming Centers and Emergency Shelters

Twelve city-operated warming centers remain open 24/7 to provide refuge for residents needing heat and power. All centers have been equipped with generators through a partnership with CenterPoint Energy. Key locations currently active include the Fonde Community Center at 110 Sabine St., the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at 1475 W. Gray St., and the Sunnyside Multi-Service Center at 4410 Reed Road. Residents requiring transportation to a warming center should call 311 for assistance.

Health Advisories and Public Safety

The Houston Health Department and the CDC have issued several active health notices for the region. Public health officials are tracking two confirmed cases of measles in Harris County and urge residents to ensure vaccinations are up to date. Additionally, the CDC has issued a nationwide advisory regarding the New World screwworm following cases reported in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Residents are also reminded that flu activity is currently surging; medical professionals recommend avoiding crowded areas if you are symptomatic and practicing frequent handwashing.

Roadway and Travel Warnings

Houston TranStar reports significant ice accumulation on elevated ramps and bridges. Major closures or impacts are currently reported at IH-45 Northbound at Airline Drive and SH-35 Southbound at Park Place Boulevard. Drivers are strongly urged to limit non-essential travel until temperatures rise above freezing later today.