If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the City of La Porte’s Public Works Department at 281-471-9650. For more information, visit laportetx.gov and follow the La Porte Office of Emergency Management on Social Media @LPOEM.
Official Release
Fact Sheet: What to Do During a Boil Water Notice
February 20, 2021:
While the Boil Water Notice remains in effect, the City’s Public Works Department is working as quickly as possible to have it lifted. The City has started the process of collecting and submitting water quality samples to labs for testing. Once this process is complete, we will update you with information on when the Boil Water Notice will be lifted.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has federal emergency aid for areas affected by the severe winter storm. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
If you experienced damage as a result of the winter weather, it is important to document everything throughout your recovery process. Start with these three steps: 1) Take photos of your damaged home and belongings, 2) Make a list of damaged or lost items, and 3) If you have insurance, contact them as soon as possible to file a claim.
If you will be performing repairs to your home as a result of the winter weather, we ask that you obtain a permit from the City’s Permits Office because it may be required for insurance purposes. This will also allow City staff to better understand impacts across La Porte and ensure standards for repair work are being upheld for our residents and businesses. For more information, contact the Permits Office during regular business hours at 281-470-5073.
If you have damage, separate your storm-related debris from regular household garbage. Your household (not contractor) debris from water damage can be bagged and placed at the curbside for heavy trash pick-up. Please call 281-471-9650 for any questions related to garbage or debris.
For more information, follow the La Porte Office of Emergency Management on social media or visit LaPorteTX.gov.
Previous Updates:
February 18, 2021 - 5:00 p.m.
City offices will remain closed tomorrow, February 19th, but garbage and heavy trash service will resume tomorrow morning. Public Works will begin collecting heavy trash in both Zones 1 and 2. Regular trash pick-up will go back to the normal schedule, starting with residents whose normal pick-up day is on Friday. The Bay Forest Golf Course will open Friday at 10:00 a.m., and follow their regular schedule starting this Saturday. While water pressure has improved throughout the city, the Boil Water Notice remains in effect. Please continue to boil water prior to consumption until the City is able to rescind the Boil Water Notice.
Harris County Transit and Metro will be operating tomorrow at 10 a.m. and normal schedule Saturday.
February 17, 2021 -
Mayor Rigby has signed a Declaration of Local Disaster for the City of La Porte in response to the Severe Winter Weather. This Declaration will assist in the recovery of our residents and businesses in La Porte.
Read the Declaration.
February 17, 2021 -
Due to weather-related issues leading to reduced distribution system pressure, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of La Porte, Texas (Water System No. TX1010018) public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.
To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to use for drinking water or human consumption purposes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
In lieu of boiling, individuals may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice in a manner similar to this notice.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact the City of La Porte’s Public Works Department at 281-471-9650. For more information, visit laportetx.gov and follow the La Porte Office of Emergency Management on Social Media @LPOEM.
Official Release
February 16, 2021 - 8:30 AM
The City is aware of widespread power outages in La Porte. At this time, we do not have an estimated timeframe for restoration of power. If you need immediate assistance to get out of the cold, contact the La Porte Office of Emergency Management at 281-470-0010. The City can assist residents with finding a warming center and options for traveling to that location. Unfortunately, there have been several deaths across the region overnight due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Thankfully, none of these have occurred in La Porte. Please do not use stoves, charcoal grills, or generators inside to heat your home. These devices must be properly ventilated to outside air. Also, do not sit in an idling vehicle inside a closed garage. Many intersections throughout the city are now without power. Please remember to use caution at intersections if you must drive today. At this time, the City’s water supply is running as normal, but we ask residents to please conserve water as much as possible. Report any major leaks to the City at 281-471-9650 or 281-470-0010.
February 15, 2021, 8:05 PM
In response to the continued winter weather and unsafe road conditions, City offices will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16th. Garbage and heavy trash services will remain suspended through tomorrow. If possible, Public Works crews will resume heavy trash services on Wednesday and garbage pick-up on Thursday.
As we move into the evening hours, road conditions will become more hazardous. Please stay off the roads this evening. Many residents in La Porte and the region are without power. We hope all residents who do have electricity will conserve power as much as possible to prevent additional outages. If you need immediate assistance as a result of the winter weather, contact the La Porte Office of Emergency Management at 281-470-0010. For more information, visit LaPorteTX.gov.
February 15, 2021, 1:00 PM
The City has been in communication with CenterPoint Energy, and CenterPoint is aware of the outages in La Porte. CenterPoint’s website and call center have been overwhelmed and are not operational at this time.
There are rotating outages all across the state. CenterPoint is working on outages across the Houston region and will provide the City of La Porte with an update for our residents as soon as they can. If you need immediate assistance, please contact the La Porte Office of Emergency Management at 281-470-0010.
If you are without power, consider the following:
- Close any blinds and curtains, or put blankets or towels up to cover windows and provide insulation.
- Close off rooms to avoid losing heat.
- Stuff towels in cracks under doors, especially exterior doors.
- Wear layers of loose-fitted, warm clothing, especially warm socks and gloves, if you have them.
- Eat and drink food to provide energy to warm the body, but avoid alcohol or caffeine.
- Under no circumstances should you bring a generator inside. They should remain 30 feet away from your home.
- Do not use a gas stove or oven for heat, as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
We continue to urge residents to stay off the roadways due to extremely hazardous road conditions. Current road closures in La Porte include both directions of SH-146 and SH-225, and the Fairmont Parkway overpass in both directions. If a traffic signal is not working due to power outages, use extreme caution prior to proceeding. Intersections without power should be approached as a 4-way stop.
You may notice more than usual flaring from local industry. This is due to those facilities shutting down operations as a result of the power outages. Messages regarding industrial activities will be shared on CAER Online. This website can be accessed from LaPorteTX.gov. Remember to follow the La Porte Office of Emergency Management on social media, or visit the City’s website for updates at LaPorteTX.gov. We hope all residents will stay safe and warm. Thank you.
February 15, 2021, 8:00 AM
Current Road and Lane Closures:
- Northbound SH-146 flyover to Westbound SH-225 has been closed, traffic will be forced to exit at W. Main off SH-146.
- 225 Eastbound and Westbound from Scarborough Lane to SH-146.
- Two exterior lanes of the Spencer Hwy. overpass will be closed, the interior lanes will be treated as needed to keep the overpass open.
- Fairmont east and westbound is closed due to icy conditions
We have received reports of residents with extended power outages. These outages could be a result of CenterPoint complying with a request from ERCOT to curtail power delivery due to the statewide power generation emergency. As a result, residents may experience longer outages than previously anticipated.
February 15, 2021 2:28 AM
Rotating Power Outages: CenterPoint has notified us that Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has declared a statewide power generation shortfall emergency and directed them to start controlled rotating outages in our area. These outages could last from 15 minutes to an hour.
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February 14, 2021 | 11:12 PM
Current Road Closures:
- Northbound SH-146 flyover to Westbound SH-225 has been closed, traffic will be forced to exit at W. Main off SH-146.
- 225 Eastbound and Westbound from Scarborough Lane to SH-146.
- Two exterior lanes of Spencer Hwy. and Fairmont Pkwy. the overpass will be closed, the interior lanes will be treated as needed to keep them open.
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February 14, 2021
In response to weather forecasts showing freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions beginning this evening, City offices will be closed on Monday, February 15th. Garbage and heavy trash services will be suspended for at least Monday and Tuesday of this week. The City’s first responders and emergency personnel will remain in operation. Please help us keep everyone safe by staying off the roads over the next several days. Any final preparations should be made as soon as possible. Wherever you are beginning early this evening, plan to stay there for a couple of days. The City will monitor forecasts for the remainder of the week, and update you if any additional changes need to be made to City services. Please stay inside and off the roads, stay warm, and stay safe. For more information, visit LaPorteTX.gov.
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February 12, 2021
The City is monitoring potential impacts from the upcoming winter weather, which will push low temperatures well below freezing beginning Sunday night. Temperatures are likely to stay below freezing for at least 24 hours Monday through Tuesday. Long periods of below freezing weather can be very dangerous for people, animals, and plants. It can also cause water pipes to freeze and burst. Residents are urged to take steps now to prepare. Ice, sleet, and snow will make roads, bridges, and overpasses dangerous. Beginning Sunday night, we urge residents to avoid all travel. Even roads that are treated may still be unsafe. Harris County Transit operations will be suspended on Monday, February 15th. If a decision is made to close City facilities next week or suspend trash services due to the weather, we will send you an update with that information.
In order to prepare for the winter weather, remember to protect the “Four P’s”: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.
Residents should keep warm by staying inside. If you need to go out, remember to dress in layers and wear hats, gloves, and an appropriate coat. Bring pets inside, and move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas. Keep adequate food and water available for your pets. Disconnect outdoor hoses, and drain and store them in a protected area. Drain and wrap all exposed pipes and faucets located outside or in unheated areas of your home. Remember to shut off irrigation systems, and drain them. Bring potted plants inside or store in your garage near an interior wall to provide extra warmth and protection from the wind. For cold-sensitive outdoor plants, consider covering them with a cloth fabric of some kind to shield the plants from wind and frost.
For more information on how to prepare your homes and vehicles for the winter weather, visit LaPorteTX.gov. In addition, we encourage you to follow the La Porte Office of Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter. We hope all residents will stay safe and warm over the next several days. Thank you.
Learn more here: Cold Weather | La Porte, TX - Official Website