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Houston-area warming centers open, due to severe cold weather

Lakewood Church officials said no one will be turned away. Gallery Furniture opens two locations and the GRB.

Lakewood Church is continuing to operate 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 hundreds of people deal with power outages in their homes.

“We have beds, blankets, and other supplies,” 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 have 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 its 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

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

Judson Robinson Jr, Community Center
2020 Hermann Drive

Foster YMCA
1234 W 34th St, Houston

Houston Texans YMCA
5202 Griggs Road

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.

More Houston centers

There are also warming centers open at the 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.

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

The City of Galveston is opening a warming center at the McGuire Dent Recreation Center beginning Monday, February 15, 2021, at 6 p.m. It will remain open until Tuesday morning.

It’s located at 2222 28th St.

No meals will be provided and people will be tested for COVID-19 upon entry. Masks are required.

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

Source: www.khou.com