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Harris County, TX, January 22, 2026, Judge Lina Hidalgo, the chief emergency management director of Harris County, gave an update this afternoon on the upcoming severe winter weather event that will hit Harris County and the state of Texas this coming weekend. She urged residents to be where they need to be for the duration of the winter storm by 9 p.m. Saturday night. 

Harris County is forecasted to experience a hard freeze for up to 50 hours straight, freezing rain and wind gusts that could create dangerous road conditions. Ice accumulation on tree limbs and power lines may cause scattered power outages.

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) will activate to Level III: Increased Readiness on Saturday midday, although HCOHSEM officials are already in constant contact with local stakeholders and partners across the county. 

“This winter storm will bring two major threats: cold and dangerous road conditions. With the cold, the most important thing you can do is follow the 4 P’s (people, pets, plants and pipes). On the roads, please avoid unnecessary travel this weekend. You should be where you need to be by Saturday night at 9 p.m. We’ve faced so many of these winter storms and I know we can get through this working together,” said Judge Hidalgo. 

Judge Hidalgo and HCOHSEM encourage residents to follow the 4 P’s:

• People: Plan to stay indoors, and remember to check on anyone you know who’s elderly or vulnerable over the next few days. 
• Pets: Keep your pets indoors, and make sure you have enough food/supplies for them to last through Monday. 
• Plants: Bring your plants indoors if you can, or cover them before the cold weather sets in if you have to keep them outside. 
• Pipes: Insulate your pipes if possible, and remember to disconnect hoses and drain sprinkler systems to avoid burst pipes. 

Please check ReadyHarris.org for the latest weather updates, including more information on warming center locations. 

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