UPDATE 5 p.m. Feb. 14:
Due to hazardous weather and road conditions, WCA Waste Corp. has suspended Municipal Solid Waste pickup services for tomorrow (Monday, Feb. 15). WCA officials will continue to monitor forecasts and provide service updates as they become available.
Residents are encouraged to avoid travel and ensure that all electronic devices are fully charged, flashlight batteries are replenished and extra blankets are secured in case there are power outages. Potential rolling blackouts could be expected as well, due to the increase in electricity demand versus supply reserves. Remember to:
- Keep garage doors closed
- Leave cabinets open
- Let faucets drip
- Keep the thermostat consistent at around 68 degrees
- Leave the heat on
- Keep interior doors open
UPDATE 9 a.m. Feb. 14:
The National Weather Service has upgraded all watches to warnings for the area. This includes:
- Winter Storm Warning in effect from now until to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15: The threat of icing on bridges and overpasses possible. Temperatures will fall below freezing and is expected to bring freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some areas.
- Hard Freeze Warning in effect from 6 p.m. today, Feb. 14 until noon Tuesday, Feb. 16: Sub-Freezing temperatures are expected and could damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
- Wind Chill Warning in effect from midnight, tonight until noon, Tuesday, Feb. 16: Very cold air and strong winds will create dangerously low wind chill values. This will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia; avoid being outside if possible.
Stay alert, be cautious.
******
UPDATE Feb. 13:
As the region expects record breaking temperatures, the National Weather Service has issued multiple watches and warnings for the area including Missouri City. Current advisories include a:
- Winter Storm Watch in effect from 9 p.m. today, Saturday, Feb. 13 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14: Conditions are favorable for severe weather and hazardous travel is possible.
- Wind Chill Watch in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16: Dangerously cold wind chill values are possible; avoid being outside if possible.
- Winter Storm Warning in effect from 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15: Significant winter weather including snow, sleet and ice from freezing rain with snow/sleet is expected. Travel will become difficult or impossible in some areas.
- Hard Freeze Watch in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 to noon Tuesday, Feb. 16: Sub-Freezing temperatures are possible and could damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
“I would like to reiterate that this severe weather is the first of its kind in about 30 years,” said Mayor Robin J. Elackatt. “The safety of our citizens is the utmost priority, and I encourage everyone to be cautious, check on your neighbors and avoid travel if possible.
Residents are encouraged to protect the “4 Ps” – people, pets, plants, pipes and to prepare for any possible power outages including charging all devices ahead of time, replenishing flashlight batteries and securing extra blankets. Emergency officials also share additional safety tips like:
- Keeping garage doors closed
- Opening cabinets
- Letting faucets drip
- Keeping the thermostat consistent
- Sealing cracks and openings
- Leaving the heat on
- Opening interior doors
Staff is proactively preparing bridges/roadways within the City and are partnering with State and County officials to ensure roads that are managed by them are treated as well. Residents are encouraged to avoid travel if possible and be extra cautious if traveling. Crews will continue to monitor all roadway conditions, and if there are areas of concern in your community, please call 281.403.8700.
“The City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated and we’re closely watching all developments with this winter storm,” said City Manager Odis Jones. “Please follow all warnings and watches as we continue to keep residents updated through our official channels.”
All non-emergency City offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15. This includes:
- City Hall Front Lobby, 1522 Texas Pkwy.
- Inspections & Permits, 1522 Texas Pkwy.
- Municipal Court, 3845 Cartwright Rd.
- Recreation & Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr.
The Animal Shelter, 1923 Scanlin Rd. is open for regular business hours.
The Quail Valley Golf Courses are closed tomorrow, Feb. 14. The Golf Shop will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the Bluebonnet Grille will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. All golf and City Centre facilities will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
The Feb. 15 Special and Regular City Council meetings are still on schedule. Citizens and stakeholders may watch meeting live on MCTV on the City Website via this link: http://bit.ly/2LaZigz.
For all updates regarding the Municipal Solid Waste Program for next week, please contact WCA Waste Corp. at 281.403.5800.
Additional cancellations/closures reported are:
- Fort Bend ISD campuses and facilities will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 (Presidents Day) and Tuesday, Feb. 16 (inclement weather).
- Houston ISD is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
- All area COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
EOC officials also stress the importance of keeping a list of informational resources for reference. Recommendations for City residents include:
- MCTX Police and Fire Departments: 911 or 281.403.8700
- MCTX City Hall: 281.403.8500
- Report or Track a Power Outage: www.CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter | 713.207.2222
- Report a Natural Gas Outage: 713.659.2111 or 800.752.8036
- American Red Cross: Fort Bend County - 281.342.9480 | Greater Houston - 713.526.8300
- Ready Harris: www.readyharris.org | 713.881.3100
- Fort Bend OEM: www.fbcoem.org | 281.342.6185
- Enable Fort Bend: www.enablefortbend.com | 281.238.3514 (the agency assists individuals with functional and medical needs during an emergency or disaster)
Citizens are encouraged to follow the City’s official websites and social media channels to receive timely, accurate information. All weather updates including road conditions, event cancellations, office closures, solid waste service and more will be shared on these official communication outlets.
The two main platforms used by City staff to share real-time information during emergencies are the MCTX Emergency Management website, www.MissouriCityReady.com and the MCTX Twitter account, Twitter.com/MissouriCityEM.
For more updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter and Instagram—@MissouriCityTX, and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).