HOUSTON - Council Member Fred Flickinger would like to make residents aware that the City of Houston is providing resources for refuge from extreme heat after widespread power outages and damages from Thursday night’s severe storms. The cooling centers will be open Friday, May 17, 2024, between 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Anyone without air-conditioning can seek relief at the following city locations designated as cooling centers. Those needing transportation to a designated cooling center can contact 3-1-1 to request a free ride. 

Cooling Center Operations for Friday, May 17 

2 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

• Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood, TX. 77345 
• Stude Park Community Center, 1031 Stude Street, Houston, TX. 77007 



3 p.m. – 7 p.m. 

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 West Montgomery Road, Houston, TX. 77091 
• Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center, 4510 Reed Road, Houston, TX 77051 
• Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019 

In addition, the City of Houston and Harris County activated their emergency operation centers last night. The wind speed experienced is comparable with Hurricane Ike.

What we know so far: 

• CenterPoint’s system has experienced significant damage. There are approximately 716,000+ customers without power. Overnight, CenterPoint crews restored more than 180,000 customers. CenterPoint has 4,000 technicians working in the area. Stay away from downed power lines at least 35 feet or lower and report downed lines to 911 or CenterPoint at 713-207-2222.
• CenterPoint representatives warn this will be a multi-day event.
• CenterPoint’s online outage tracker should be restored today.
• If you are aware of family or neighbors on dialysis or need power for medical assistance, call 911 or contact our office so we can assist. Please also make sure they registered with State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR). 
• If you smell gas in your home, please evacuate immediately and report to CenterPoint at 713-659-2111.
• First responders, city departments and state agencies like DPS and TxDOT are in the field assessing damage, addressing live wires, and clearing debris.
• Debris will be cleared first on the interstates, major thoroughfares, collector streets, and finally local streets. If you are aware of debris blocking roadways, please report it to 911 if an emergency, or through 311.
• Of the city’s 2,500 traffic signals, at least 600 are still out and must be physically reactivated. Other Texas cities are helping with this effort. DPS is assisting HPD with traffic mobility.
• HPD units are currently securing the damaged buildings downtown.
• There are plans to open the city’s multi-service centers with power as cooling centers. More information coming on this soon. 
• According to the county judge, 15 Harris County libraries are open today from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. as cooling centers, and will be open through the weekend as temperatures are expected to rise.
• The city's solid waste management department is currently experiencing service interruptions as crews assist with the disaster. Today's scheduled garbage pickup will be collected tomorrow, May 18. Recycling, yard and tree waste will be collected on your next scheduled collection day. 
• Telecommunication towers experienced damage impacting cell service in some parts of the city. This issue is being addressed with service providers. 
• There are NOT any impacts to drinking water operations and the water is safe to drink.
• Local agencies are working directly with the state, federal government, and Red Cross. The county judge officially signed a disaster declaration early this morning so we are ready to receive assistance as soon as possible. Last night’s storm and the intense rainfall earlier this month will be treated as one emergency so those impacted by either storm will receive individual assistance and resources. 

This a serious life safety hazard. Stay patient and off the streets. Check on your family, neighbors, and pets. Please make sure you are reporting emergencies to 911 and non-emergencies to 311.

Sign up for AlertHouston here and follow the city’s office of emergency management for further updates.

Lake Houston: Lake Houston is currently at 43.39 feet (normal pool is 42.4 feet) Gates on the spillway dam are open and discharging water over the spillway. Gates on Lake Houston will remain open until Lake Houston returns to normal pool. Total inflows into Lake Houston are at 22,556 cfs and outflows are at 17,072 cfs. Lake Houston gates have and will remain open until the gate that is stuck partially open is repaired. Lake Houston levels can be monitored here.

Lake Conroe: Lake Conroe is currently at 202.86 feet (normal pool is 201 feet). The San Jacinto River Authority is currently releasing 10,875 cfs. Lake Conroe levels can be monitored here.

For more information, please contact the District E office at (832) 393-3008 or via email at districte@houstontx.gov.

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