Dear Friends,

Please share this critical information with your neighbors, family, tenants, parishioners, and community partners.

Below is updated information related to cooling centers and city services as our community recovers from Tropical Storm Beryl as of Thursday, July 11th. If you need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office.

ALERTHOUSTON: Cooling Centers and City Services Update for Thursday, July 11

Ice and Water Distribution
Ice and water distributions will begin shortly. The city continues to support dozens of facilities for cooling and charging. The Houston Health Department recommends people without electricity consider delaying storm-debris cleanup until their power is restored to avoid heat-related illnesses. Once power is restored, people can take frequent breaks in their air-conditioned homes.

Drive Through Distribution Locations (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

  • Acres Homes MSC: 6719 West Montgomery Rd., 77091
  • Northeast MSC: 9720 Spaulding St., 77016
  • Sunnyside MSC: 4410 Reed Rd., 77051
  • Southwest MSC: 6400 High Star Dr., 77074
  • Denver Harbor MSC: 6402 Market St., 77007
  • White Oak Conference Center (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): 7603 Antoine Dr., 77088
  • Memorial Assistance Ministries (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): 1625 Blaylock Rd., 77080

Cooling Center, Charging Center, and Shelter Locations and Hours

City of Houston – Cooling Centers-

  • Southwest Multi-Service Center
    • Address: 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, Texas 77074
    • Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
    • Address: 6719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, Texas 77091
    • Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
    • Address: 4410 Reed Rd., Houston, Texas 77051
    • Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • West Gray Multi-Purpose Center
    • Address: 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
    • Hours: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Moody Community Center
    • Address: 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009
    • Hours: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Kingwood Community Center
    • Address: 4102 Rustic Woods, Houston TX 77345
    • Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center
    • Address: 4014 Market St, Houston, TX 77020
    • Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Kashmere Multi-Service Center
    • Address: 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77026
    • Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Houston Public Library (Open Thursday, July 11, 2024 – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

  • Alief Regional Library (located inside the Alief Neighborhood Center): 11903 Bellaire, 77072 – Phone: 832-393-1820
  • Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library: 7007 West Fuqua, 77489 – Phone: 832-393-2370
  • Bracewell Neighborhood Library: 9002 Kingspoint, 77075 – Phone: 832-393-2580
  • Carnegie Neighborhood Library: 1050 Quitman, 77009 – Phone: 832-393-1720
  • Central Library: 500 McKinney, 77002 – Phone: 832-393-1313
  • Flores Neighborhood Library: 110 N Milby, 77004 – Phone: 832-393-1780
  • Johnson Neighborhood Library: 3517 Reed Rd, 77051 – Phone: 832-393-2550
  • Jungman Neighborhood Library: 5830 Westheimer, 77057 – Phone: 832-393-1860
  • Kendall Neighborhood Library: 609 N. Eldridge, 77079 – Phone: 832-393-1880
  • Montrose Neighborhood Library: 4100 Montrose Blvd, 77006 – Phone: 832-393-1800
  • Oak Forest Neighborhood Library: 1349 West 43rd St, 77018 – Phone: 832-393-1960
  • Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library: 3223 Wilcrest, 77042 – Phone: 832-393-2011
  • Southwest Express Library (located inside the Southwest Multi-Service Center): 6400 High Star, 77074 – Phone: 832-393-2660
  • Stanaker Neighborhood Library: 611 S/Sgt Macario Garcia, 77011 – Phone: 832-393-2080
  • Walter Neighborhood Library: 7660 Clarewood, 77036 – Phone: 832-393-2500
  • Family History Research Center: 5300 Caroline St, 77004 – Phone: 832-393-2600
  • African American History Research Center: 1300 Victor St, 77019 – Phone: 832-393-1440
  • Houston History Research Center: 550 McKinney, 77002 – Phone: 832-393-1662

YMCA – Cooling Centers

  • Duncan
    • Address: 10655 Clay Rd., Houston, TX 77041
    • Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Perry
    • Address: 1700 W League City Pkwy, League City, TX 77573
    • Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Tellepsen
    • Address: 808 Pease St., Houston, TX 77002
    • Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Trotter
    • Address: 1331 Augusta Dr., Houston, TX 77057
    • Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Weekley
    • Address: 7101 Stella Link Blvd., Houston TX 77025
    • Hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Alief
    • Address: 7850 Howell Sugarland Rd., Houston, TX 77083
    • Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • International Services
    • Address: 3110 Hayes Rd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77082
    • Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Non-profit – Cooling Centers

  • Lakewood Church
    • Address: 3700 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
    • Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Compudopt Office
    • Address: 1602 Airline Drive, Houston, Texas 77009
    • Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
    • Details: The charging stations can accommodate up to 25 persons at one time. Six laptops will also be available for use by families.

American Red Cross – Shelter Locations

  • BakerRipley Gulfton Sharpstown Campus
    • Address: 6500 Rookin, Houston, TX 77074
    • Hours: Opens Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 PM; starting Wednesday, July 10 the location will be open 24 hours
  • BakerRipley Ripley House
    • Address: 4410 Navigation, Houston, TX 77011
    • Hours: Open 24 hours
    • Details: This location will be staffed with paramedics from HFD for anyone needing minor medical support
  • Champion Forest Baptist Church
    • Address: 16518 Jersey Dr. Houston, TX 77040
    • Hours: Open 24 hours

Harris County Cooling Centers, Heat Safety, and Recovery-

Precinct 1

Cooling Centers (Open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)

  1. Lincoln Park Community Center – 979 Grenshaw St., Houston, 77088
  2. Julia C. Hester House – 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020

Distribution Locations (Open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or until supplies run out)

  1. Harris County Precinct One Central Service Center – 7901 El Rio St, Houston, TX 77054
  2. Lincoln Park Community Center – 979 Grenshaw St, Houston, 77088
  3. Julia C. Hester House – 2020 Solo St, Houston, TX 77020

Precinct 2

Cooling Centers

  1. Hardy Community Center: 11901 W Hardy Rd, Houston, TX 77076
  2. EHAC: 7340 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX, 77505
  3. Flukinger Community Center: 16003 Lorenzo St, Channelview, TX 77530

Precinct 3

All programming at Precinct 3 Community Centers is canceled until further notice; however, they will distribute water and food while supplies last.

Due to power issues, the following Community Centers will close after supplies run out:

  1. Barrett Station Community Center
  2. May Community Center
  3. San Jacinto Community Center
  4. George H.W. Bush Community Center

The following Community Centers will also distribute food and water supplies but will remain open during normal hours (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) for the public to charge devices and enjoy free Wi-Fi in an air-conditioned facility:

  1. Crosby Community Center
  2. Big Stone Lodge
  3. Trini Mendenhall Community Center
  4. Juergen’s Hall Community Center

For more information, contact the community center directly: www.pct3.com/Explore/Community-Centers

Precinct 4

Community Centers opening Wednesday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for food and water distribution are:

  1. Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084
  2. Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77074 (Red Cross may provide hot meals, subject to availability)

Cooling Centers open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. are:

  1. Steve Radack Community Center, 18650 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084
  2. Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77074
  3. Richard & Meg Weekley Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
  4. Hockley Community Center: 28515 Old Washington Rd, Hockley, TX
  5. Peckham Aquatic & Fitness Center: 5597 Gardenia Ln, Katy, TX

For more information, contact the community center directly: https://cp4.harriscountytx.gov/Community-Centers

To view the most current list of cooling centers, charging centers, and shelter locations, visit bit.ly/OEMResponse.

City Services Updates

311: Submit a service request online with the 311 portal. Avoid the wait time and install the app:

Solid Waste: Normal schedule resumes Thursday, July 11, for garbage, heavy tree waste, and storm debris collection.

BARC: Closed for most public services on Thursday, July 11, except for lost pets and sick/injured pet intake through the back entrance at 2700 Evella St. Services expand on Friday, July 12, to include pet adoption and lost pet services via the Wellness Center entrance at 3200 Carr St. and sick/injured pet intake through the back entrance at 2700 Evella St.

Municipal Courts: Normal operations resumed. Case resets for July 8-9 will take place at all City of Houston court locations through July 16, 2024. Visit www.houstontx.gov/courts for information on court locations and hours.

The Houston Health Department recommends the following precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

  • Drink more water: Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar as these can result in the loss of body fluid.
  • Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening: Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility.
  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
  • Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn and heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen to protect from the sun’s harmful rays and reduce the risk of sunburn.
  • Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if your home is not air-conditioned: a relative’s home, multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
  • Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.

Houston Public Works: The permitting center at 1002 Washington Ave. is open during normal business hours. For information about fast-tracking electrical permits, visit Houston Permitting Center.

For more recovery information, visit Houston OEM Recovery.

Replacement of Food Purchased by SNAP

SNAP recipients in 121 counties listed in Acting Governor Patrick’s disaster declarations must apply for replacement benefits by August 8. Affected counties are listed below. Beginning July 11, recipients can apply by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting Option 8. Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027, or faxed to 877-447-2839.

Recipients who live in counties other than those listed below can apply for replacement benefits in person within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms. Individuals in those counties must go to a local benefits office to request replacement food benefits.

HHSC is also providing crisis counseling for Texans affected by this disaster through local mental health authorities. To locate a local mental health authority, visit the Where Can I Find Services page.

Additionally, the WIC program, administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl through July 31, 2024. Families can visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and select Option 3 to speak with an operator who will help find an open WIC location. WIC participants will need to go to the WIC office to replace food benefits. WIC also offers 24/7 breastfeeding assistance through its lactation support hotline: 855-550-6667.

Important Tips:

  1. Take pictures of your storm damage for assessment and FEMA eligibility.
  2. Report all property damage to the State of Texas using the iSTAT tool: damage.tdem.texas.gov
  3. Contact your insurance company before applying for FEMA assistance.
  4. For debris removal help, contact the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 832-509-2977.
  5. Report scams and fraud to the Texas Attorney General.

It is an honor to serve and represent you.

Gene Wu
State Representative

House District 137