HOUSTON — With freezing temperatures relentlessly hitting the powerless Houston area, several locations around town have transformed into warming centers for those in need of warmth.
Lakewood Church
Lakewood Church is operating as a warming center and shelter for those needing to escape the frigid temperatures.
Officials said approximately a dozen people took shelter at the church Sunday and they are expecting more as more and more people deal with power outages in their homes.
"We have beds, blankets and other supplies," church officials said. "No one will be turned away."
If you're headed to Lakewood for shelter, you are instructed to arrive at either entrance on Edloe or Norfolk streets.
Gallery Furniture two locations
Gallery Furniture is open to people now as a warming center. Right now it's ONLY the location on the North Freeway. They had originally also opened the Highway 99 location but it has since had to shut it down because of electricity loss.
Unfortunately, no pets are allowed.
They're asking people to wear masks. They have heat and food.
It's the first time Mattress Mack opened his stores as shelters since Hurricane Harvey.
"There's a lot of pain out there," Mattress Mack said. "The least we could do is open the store up, let people come into a warm place. (We have) Plenty of sofas available, plenty of TVs available, plenty of mattresses available and lots of hot food. Tough times never last, tough Texans do, and we'll get through this also."
George R. Brown Convention Center
**UPDATE:** The warming center at the GRB is at full capacity and is currently not taking in more people. A warming bus is available onsite for those who need assistance with transportation to the warming shelter. If you need help finding a warming shelter, please call 311. The George R. Brown Convention Center is continuing to operate as a warming center but is not accepting any more people in need.
YMCA/Red Cross
The YMCA of Greater Houston in partnership with the City of Houston have continued the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA as a warming center to provide the community with a safe place while they wait for power to be restored.
The location is open to the entire community until 5 p.m. Wednesday. YMCA will monitor and limit capacity to 100 people at a time in order to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Y was unable to re-open the Houston Texans YMCA as a warming center due to loss of power. The YMCA encourages individuals to bring power cords.
The Drive-In off Navigation
The Rooftop Cinema Club is opening a relief station at The Drive-In off Navigation (2315 Navigation Blvd.).
Free snacks and drinks, Wi-Fi and device charging will be available from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
To serve as many members of the community as possible, guests will be allowed to use the free Wi-Fi and charge their devices for up to 45 minutes. The venue is using its on-site generators to offer free power and heat up warm drinks while guests wait.
"While films at the Drive-In off Navigation have been canceled until Friday, Rooftop Cinema Club has opened the venue to the public for use as a relief station equipped to offer the community a drive-up location to charge their devices; hop on wifi; grab some free snacks and drinks, and take home a goodie-bag with battery-powered string lights and a deck of cards. All free of charge," they said in a news release.
More Houston centers
There are also warming centers open at National Association of Christian Churches and Bayland Park.
Houston police, the Harris County Sheriff's Office and homeless outreach groups are giving people rides to the warming centers.
The HCSO's Homeless OutReach Team (HOT) is working 24/7 to make sure homeless people who decline to go to a warming station have coats, gloves, hats, blankets, sleeping bags and tents.
Fort Bend County
Missouri City is partnering with Fort Bend County to open a warming center in the Recreation & Tennis Center starting Thursday night at 7 p.m. through Saturday, Feb. 20 at noon.
The Recreation & Tennis Center is located at 2701 Cypress Point Dr.
Sugar Land
River Pointe Church: If you go to the warming center here, bring blankets, snacks and masks. River Pointe Church is located at 21000 Southwest Freeway.
Residents must call ahead of showing up. That number is 832-767-9600.
Grand Parkway Baptist Church: This location is not supported by the county. It's located at 12000 FM 1464 in Richmond. Call 281-277-2200 for more information.
Fort Bend Community Church: This location is open during the daytime only. It's located at 7707 Highway 6 in Missouri City. It's open Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. and will also be open on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Fort Bend County Public Transportation will provide rides to the River Pointe Church warming center through 8 p.m. Wednesday. Call 281-896-1846 to coordinate a ride.
League City
The League City Police Department opened a warming center at the Hometown Heroes Recreation Center.
Space is limited and animals are not allowed.
Masks are required. Food and blankets will not be provided.
Galveston County
Galveston County has several warming centers open.
Here's a list:
- Bayside Community Center - 4833 10th St., Bacliff, TX
- Friendswood High School - 702 Greenbriar Dr., Friendswood, TX
- McGuire-Dent Recreation Center - Menard Park - 2222 28th St., Galveston, TX (opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday)
- Barber Middle School - 5651 FM 517 Road East, Dickinson, TX (for Dickinson residents)
- Santa Fe Fire and Rescue Station 1 - 13112 Highway 6, Santa Fe, TX (Santa Fe residents only, ID required)
- High Island Gym - 2113 6th St., High Island, TX (opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday)
- Blocker Middle School - 1800 9th Ave. N, Texas City, TX (open until Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.)
The Salvation Army also opened warming centers in Galveston.
However, the shelters at 601 51st St. and at Central Church at 3308 Avenue O 1/2 both lost power on Monday morning.
There were 92 people staying at the shelters and they will remain there because there are no other options.
Officials said they are in need of "portable lights (lanterns/flashlights) and batteries to go in them, power banks for staff to charge cell phones and hand warmers."
Sante Fe
The Santa Fe Fire Department has opened its firehouse as a warming center. They have cots and meals provided by the Red Cross.
Chambers County
The county will reopen the McLeod Park Warming Center on Tuesday at noon. The site will remain open until 5:30 p.m.
West U
The City of West University Place opened its recreation center at 4210 Bellaire Blvd. as a warming center for residents.
It's not an overnight shelter and will have limited capacity and amenities.
Pearland
A warming center is open for day use at the Recreation Center and Natatorium (4141 Bailey Rd). Space is limited. If you decide to go, no pets, wear a mask, and If you have COVID symptoms please do not come.
Friendswood
The Friendswood Library is open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. as a Warming Center. No animals are allowed. Masks are required. The City is not providing food or blankets, just a place for our residents without power to get warm.
Montgomery County
- OverUnder Church - 600 S. Frazier St. Conroe, TX 77301
- Church Project - 602 Pruitt Rd. The Woodlands, TX 77380
- Madeley Ranch Elementary - 3500 Madeley Ranch Rd. Montgomery, TX 77356
(Lonestar Convention Center was closed late Tuesday due to water outage)