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Stone Gate HOA is closely monitoring weather and road conditions as a strong arctic cold front is forecasted to enter our area on Sunday, January 14th, and remain through Tuesday. While we do not anticipate any issues on Tuesday, Wednesday morning could be a concern due to the combination of cold temperatures and possible freezing precipitation.
In observance of the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, from 9:00 am – to 5:00 pm. All emergencies will be handled with our on-call answering service at 713-329-7100. Should this status change, we will notify all residents via our website and TownSQ as soon as possible or no later than 6:00 a.m. in the event of an early morning decision.
As a preventative measure, we are locking the gates open on Sunday, January 14th, at 10:00 PM should we have any power outages and/or potential freezing rains that could freeze the hinges from working and cause the gate operators to malfunction. We will continue to monitor the weather over the next few days and provide updates as necessary when we can safely return to the property to open offices.
Weather experts do not expect this to be a repeat of the February 2021 winter storm, but we do encourage the residents to take protective measures to mitigate possible freeze damage.
Freezing Temperatures - Tips to be Prepared
Don't be caught off guard by the upcoming cold weather, and be prepared. Here's some tips:
People
The most important thing is to protect yourself with any means necessary. On the coldest days, make sure to bundle up in multiple layers. Make sure to have a heavy winter coat when the temperature dramatically drops. Also, protect your head with a winter hat. Warm air escapes your body from your head, so the head is the most important part of your body to protect. As all skin is important to keep warm, make sure to bundle up with gloves and a scarf.
In your home, make sure to heat your home to a comfortable temperature. Be careful with space heaters as space heaters tend to be one of the most common fire starters. Space heaters should always be used in an open area, away from curtains, bedding, toys, clothes and furniture. It’s also important to keep them on the ground, away from plush carpeting. Space heaters should always be plugged directly into the wall and not an extension cord. Heat-related fires often start at night as people turn on their heaters then head to bed, which you should give all heaters a test run during the day. If there’s a problem, you’re alert and watching and able to safely escape.
Pets
On the coldest days, make sure not to forget about your four-legged friends. Make sure to bring pets inside where it is warm. It's especially important in Houston, where many people have short-haired dogs that comfortable in the warmer weather. However, long-haired dogs acclimated to the warmer weather can feel the chill too, so bring them in as well. If they must remain outside, make sure they have places to stay warm, or make sure they have booties to protect their paws from developing frostbite.
Plants
Another thing to protect in times of cold are your plants. You want to bring in any plants inside that will die if exposed to under freezing conditions. You can also put a blanket over these plants.
Pipes
When the temperature drops below 32 degrees, pipes can freeze and burst. Make sure to protect your outside pipes with a cover. It is also helpful to disconnect hoses and disconnect any sprinkler or drip lines you might have.
Remember to winterize your pool to protect your pool and spa from freeze damage. A few tips are:
• Properly balance pool water.
• Lower the water level to below the skimmer.
• Clear pipes and equipment of water using a blower or compressor and plug the pipes at the pool.
• Add swimming pool antifreeze to the lines to prevent freezing
Irrigation System: The main shut-off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing.
If you remember the four P's on the coldest of winter days, you will be on your way toward another hot Texas summer within no time! Stay safe and stay warm!
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