HOUSTON, Texas – Southeast Texas saw its first snowfall in almost four years on Tuesday morning. Residents woke up to find their yards covered in snow, while emergency officials advised against driving due to ongoing wintry conditions. A mix of snow and sleet continued to accumulate across the region.
Meteorologist Janet Maldonado from the National Weather Service reported that the most intense wintry weather was expected around 9 a.m. She noted that the area was experiencing various forms of precipitation, including freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Areas north of I-10 reported mainly snow.
Houston Transtar announced that many roads and elevated highways from Brazos Valley to Galveston County were closed due to ice and snow accumulation. A detailed list of affected roadways was made available.
By 7 a.m. Tuesday, there were about 56 reported power outages across Southeast Texas, according to CenterPoint Energy’s outage tracker.
Warming centers across Houston remained open amid continuing snowfall. The winter weather led to the closure of schools, government offices, and medical facilities throughout Southeast Texas. A list of available resources and facilities was provided for residents.
Harris County officials and CenterPoint Energy urged the public to avoid driving due to hazardous conditions. A spokesperson from CenterPoint emphasized the importance of safety during Winter Storm Enzo and reminded residents that power poles and vehicles do not mix well in these conditions. The company reported that a vehicle had already impacted a pole since the storm began.
They reiterated their commitment to safety, urging residents to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel. CenterPoint Energy is working to maintain electricity for the Houston region and has brought in 1,200 additional mutual aid workers to assist with potential power restoration efforts. This increased workforce aims to effectively respond to any outages caused by the storm.