HOUSTON — We're following the very latest on the arctic blast that moved in on Thursday and remains in place over Southeast Texas. There is a Hard Freeze Warning in effect for Southeast Texas from 7 p.m. Saturday through 11 a.m. Sunday.
Saturday, 2:45 p.m.: Residents in Pasadena told to stop dripping faucets, check for leaks.
The City of Pasadena is asking residents to stop dripping faucets as it's putting a strain on their system. They would also like people to check for leaks.
Saturday, 8 a.m.: Deer Park says to stop dripping, check for leaks
City of Deer Park asks residents to stop dripping water and check for links. In a series of tweets, they said,
"At this time, we ask that residents stop dripping their faucets, check for water leaks and conserve water. The City of Deer Park’s water supply has diminished due to excess water usage throughout the night and is creating a strain on the water treatment system. Please turn off any dripping faucets to allow our staff time to replenish the water supply. If you would like the City of Deer Park Public Works Department to assist with turning off the water supply to your home, please contact the Deer Park Police Department's non-emergency call line: (281) 479-1511."
Friday, 6:30 p.m. City of Houston asks residents to call 311 for water leaks
On Friday night, the City of Houston sent out an alert, asking people to call 311 if they see leaks from pipes. City officials say the leaks in pipes is causing demand to go up and putting extra pressure on the water system.
If you are in Houston and have a leak, the city wants to know the size of the leak and where it is. That will help them determine the crew or equipment to send.
DID YOUR PIPES FREEZE?: Here's what you should do
WEATHER TIMELINE: Arctic air to bring hard freeze for three nights
FRIDAY, 6 p.m. ENERGY EXPERT ED HIRS SAYS ERCOT'S FORECAST WAS OFF
From report by KHOU 11's Shern-Min Chow
As of Friday evening, the ERCOT power grid has been holding up. We’ve had no freezing rain or snow and there has been plenty of wind and sun, which help to generate energy.
But it wasn’t all great news. ERCOT’s season forecast for peak demand was 67,400 megawatts. But on Thursday morning, the actual demand was about 74,000.
“The demand forecast was off by more than 10 percent,” said KHOU energy expert Ed Hirs. “The professional integrity of the forecasting at ERCOT is really an issue. They’ve lost a lot of credibility and they’ve done nothing to improve upon that over the last two years.”
The bottom line from Hirs -- our grid still needs fixing.
Despite the forecast shortfall, ERCOT did keep the power on. They also said there would be sufficient generation through this cold weather snap.
LIVE CONDITIONS: Current temperatures and weather alerts
Watches and warnings in effect
A hard freeze warning went into effect for all of Southeast Texas from 7 p.m. Saturday night until 11 a.m. Sunday morning.
What is a hard freeze warning?
The National Weather Service issues a hard freeze warning when temperatures are expected to drop below 28°F for an extended period of time, killing most types of commercial crops and residential plants.
What is a wind chill warning?
The National Weather Service issues a wind chill warning when dangerously cold wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with a wind chill warning, avoid going outside during the coldest parts of the day. If you do go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.
Meteorologist Kim Castro explains what makes up wind chill in the video below:
Houston power outage map
Here is a look at the CenterPoint outage map for the Houston area. As of 11 a.m., 11,753 customers are experiencing power outages.
It's freezing. Now what?
The time to prepare has past. Here's what you can do now.
What to do if your pipes freeze - If you have pipes that have frozen, here are some steps you can take
Drip vs no-drip faucets - The answer is actually quite complicated and really depends on where you live. The City of Houston and Harris County have completely opposite recommendations on what to do with your faucets.
Pets - The Houston Humane Society is reminding residents to keep their pets and strays safe and to be in compliance with the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act. It is illegal in Texas to leave your dog outside without proper shelter in extreme temperatures.
Protecting cars - When it comes to freezing temperatures, check your battery, engine, and tires.
Space heater safety - The Harris County Fire Marshal advises residents to use the three-foot rule. That means keeping a three-foot perimeter around space heaters and fireplaces. You'll especially want to keep these devices clear of objects and pets.
Fireplace and chimney safety - Mariam Rozenbaum, of Brushers Chimneys, said one of the most important things to do before lighting your fireplace is to make sure your damper or flue is open and cleared.
Warming centers - Many places across the Houston area are opening their doors to serve as warming centers for those looking to escape the frigid cold weather.
Click here to check out our interactive power outage map.
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