ABC13 Weather Alert: Hard freeze, dangerously cold conditions Monday for Houston, SE Texas

In an update Sunday, ABC13 Chief Meteorologist Travis Herzog said big flyovers and connector ramps north and west of Houston are likely frozen over.

As the freeze line crossed most of southeast Texas, most surface streets in and around Houston weren't icy, while elevated roadways just outside the Houston area were likely to be icy due to overnight frozen precipitation.

Houston TranStar cameras captured an 18-wheeler sliding backwards on an icy overpass.

On Sunday morning, Houston TranStar cameras captured a big rig that was stranded on a freeway overpass at the Grand Parkway and Katy Freeway.

In northwest Harris County, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said inbound and outbound flyovers at the Grand Parkway and Highway 290 were closed due to the ice formation.

Herzog said that puddles of water on all roadways would likely freeze over tonight when the bitterly cold air returns.

"Be wise when out on the roadways, especially if you must travel tonight or tomorrow morning while it is still dark," Herzog said.

For weather updates, follow Travis Herzog on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Mayor John Whitmire has said that Houston should not let its guard down, as temperatures are still expected to drop leading into Sunday night and Monday.

Whitmire, along with several officials from the Houston Fire Department and the Houston Police Department, appeared at a press conference Sunday morning, urging people to continue practicing caution and to stay off the roads.

The mayor said the preparations continue as Houston enters a bitter freeze beginning Sunday evening, but public safety is the greatest concern.

Brian Mason, the director of emergency management, said all airports are functioning, but for travelers to check their flight status, and that the METRO will be fully operational at noon on Monday.

HPD Chief J. Noe Diaz and HFD Chief Thomas Munoz said there have been no reports of fatalities or cold-weather-related injuries and thanked the city for taking precautions, practicing safe weather preparations, and staying home.

As the ABC13 News Desk continues to monitor road conditions on Sunday, county officials across southeast Texas are reporting icy roadways.

Houston Transtar says all mainlanes of IH-45 Northbound at SH-242 are impacted, as well as some of the interchange ramps. Transtar is also reporting icy road conditions on SH-99/Grand Pwky. at Riley Fuzzel Rd.

TxDOT says SH-288 from Belfort to Beltway 8 was closed Saturday in preparation for the weather. The road is expected to remain closed until at least Monday morning or longer if needed.

Brazos County - No major reports
Chambers County - Everything seems to be good
Fort Bend County - All clear
Galveston County - All clear

Harris County

• Grand Parkway Eastbound, Lane 1, before Telge: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• Cypress Rosehill Road & Juergen Road: Sleet and ice at 7 a.m.

• Grand Parkway near Cypress Rosehill Road: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• I-45 North at SH 242: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• Grand Parkway & Riley Fuzzel Road: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• 9800 block of Jones Road: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• 8440 block of West Sam Houston Tollway North: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• 288/59: Ice on road at 7 a.m.

• 15000 block of SH 99 mainlanes EB and WB of Telge: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• SH 99 at Cypress Rosehill: Icy conditions at 7 a.m.

• East Sam Houston Parkway at I-45 South: Ice on road at 7:25 a.m.

• 19300 Block of East Hardy Toll Road, just before Richey Exit: Icy conditions at 7:40 a.m.

• Northbound ramp of SH 99 from Katy Fwy: Icy conditions at 7:50 a.m.

HCSO Sheriff Ed Gonzalez: We continue to closely monitor severe weather conditions across our region. We're receiving reports of increasing icy road conditions, but at this time our deputies are not out on any reported crashes. Thankfully, most residents are heeding the call to stay off the roadways, and overall call volume remains low. Thank you, Harris County, for doing your part-please continue to stay home and stay safe.

Walker County

• IH45 Mile Marker 117-118: Resalted at 1:45 a.m.

• SH75 & Veterans Memorial Parkway: Slick conditions at 2:22 a.m.

• SH30 W. from Skipper's to HEB: Slick conditions at 2:31 a.m.

• 600 block of 11th Street: Completely iced over at 2:32 a.m.

• FM1696 & SH75: Icy conditions at 5:46 a.m.

• SH19 at Bearkat Blvd.: Iced over

Walker County OEM: Stay home if at all possible, but if you have to get out and you see other road issues, please report to us through FB or call 936-435-8035.

Waller County
Fire Marshal's Office and OEM: Waller County Road and Bridge crews have been working around the clock continuously treating roads and bridges. The Sheriff's Office reported light ice on the roadways beginning at 1:00 a.m. Thanks to those staying off the roadways, we only received two traffic accidents last night, no injuries were reported.

Washington County
Washington County OEM: Icy conditions are developing across Washington County as freezing temperatures combine with rain, sleet, and freezing rain. Bridges and overpasses are especially hazardous, and conditions are expected to worsen as traffic increases this morning. Please stay off roadways unless absolutely necessary.

Thousands of people are working to stay warm as a freeze front moves through southeast Texas, but reports indicate many are also without power.

Data pulled from FindEnergy.com shows that about 10,429 customers are without power in parts of southeast Texas, including a couple of hundred in Harris County.

If you are among those without power during this time, officials warn to take precautions when trying to stay warm. Officials say people should stay indoors during a winter storm. But home heating systems running for hours can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning as the deadly fumes can be produced by furnaces, stoves, and heaters, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more tips on staying warm or updates on warming centers, visit ABC13.com.