With freezing rain in the forecast for the third time this week, schools are extending closures and many are taking refuge in shelters opening up in churches across Southeast Texas.
Last night, when temperatures dipped to their lowest, a make-shift shelter at Victory Temple in Beaumont had roughly 35 guests staying on cots set up around two long rows of tables for meals, which volunteers are preparing morning to night in the center’s large commercial kitchen.
Wesley Coleman conceived of the idea for the shelter, and called Pastor Jacob Smith, who obliged.
“He didn’t blink an eye before saying to go ahead,” Coleman said. “I’ve only been a member of the congregation for a year, so for him to put that trust in me has been very humbling.”
Calvary Tabernacle and the Islamic Society Triplex also are open, and the three have been in communication and helping with respective resources as needed.
While many are hunkered down in their homes or in shelters, officials including County Tax Assessor Allison Getz are warning against driving on icy roads.
“We are encouraging people not to be on the roads unless absolutely necessary,” Getz said. “People seem to be out and about and they get a false sense that it is a beautiful day, but it is going to be terrible tonight.”
In response to adverse conditions, the Texas Department of Transportation made the decision Tuesday to close several bridges including the Martin Luther King Bridge, the Rainbow Bridge and Veterans Memorial Bridge as well as an overpass on U.S. 96.
“In the rest of the region we are still seeing lots of icing conditions on the roadway,” Sarah Dupre, a public information officer with TxDOT told The Enterprise. “Our crews have been working 24 hours a day on 12 hour shifts to clear the roadways, treat the roadways and monitor them as well.”
Vidor ISD: Virtual classes Wednesday, teachers will accommodate those without power
Sabine Pass ISD: Virtual through Thursday unless otherwise announced
Bob Hope School: No school Wednesday and Thursday
Buna ISD: No school Wednesday and plans to open Thursday at 10 a.m.
East Chambers ISD: No School Wednesday, return Thursday morning
Lamar University: Classes canceled Wednesday
Lamar Institute of Technology: Classes Canceled Wednesday
Lamar State College Port Arthur: Classes Canceled Wednesday
Lamar State College Orange: Classes Canceled Wednesday
Victory Temple: 2630 S. 11th St., Beaumont
Cavalry Tabernacle: 2455 Commerce St., Beaumont
Islamic Society Triplex: 1270 W. Cardinal Drive, Beaumont
While some of the ice melted off roads Tuesday as temperatures warmed, cloud cover and another hard freeze could cause more ice to accumulate overnight.
“There is another hard freeze warning out tonight; temperatures will get into the mid-20s,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Stacey Denson told The Enterprise. “Cloud cover is going to be increasing overnight and then by Wednesday morning there is going to be a chance for another round of freezing rain.”
Precipitation will continue, but will thaw as temperatures rise.
With power outages impacting the region, Getz also is warning about the danger of using generators indoors or near windows.
“You absolutely cannot use generators inside, or your car in the garage,” she said. “Those are the things where people think they will get warm for a few minutes but it can be deadly.”
In neighboring Harris County, there have already been more than 300 carbon monoxide poisoning cases as temperatures bottomed out Monday in Houston and the state’s electricity grid failed, sending people scrambling for heat sources.
That includes 90 carbon monoxide poisoning calls to the Houston Fire Department and 100 cases at Memorial Hermann's emergency room.
The prolonged hazardous conditions, paired with power outages throughout the region, have caused school districts to either extend virtual learning or cancel classes altogether.
Some districts — like Hamshire-Fannett, West Orange Cove and Bridge City ISD — canceled school completely Wednesday, while others like Silsbee and Beaumont switched to remote learning classes.
“The power sustainability and weather are too unpredictable at this time,” Hamshire-Fannett ISD said in a statement.
Beaumont ISD is asking students to complete work if possible, but will extend deadlines to Monday, and Port Arthur ISD will continue online Wednesday.
“BISD’s goal is to be extremely flexible during our inclement weather event and intermittent power outages for students and staff,” the district said in a statement. “Beaumont ISD understands that students and staff may have connectivity issues due to rolling blackouts. If you have access to power/internet, please engage in daily learning at a time that is convenient for you.”
The Texas Education Agency told superintendents Monday that districts can apply for a three-day waiver due to closures related to power outages.
While the historic winter conditions are expected to let up after one last punishing night, the community effort in recent days has saved lives.
Shelter residents like Molly Dean rode out the beginning of the arctic surge before sleet and ice began to crush their tent.
“There were four of us in one tent, so we just had the body heat to get us through last night,” the woman expericing homelessness told The Enterprise.
Dean and a friend were the first to make it Victory Temple late Tuesday morning, with others arriving shortly after.
When they arrived at the shelter, volunteer Charlotte Ragan gave them coffee and a bowl of gumbo to warm them up.
Houston Chronicle Staff Reporter Gwendolyn Wu contributed to this report.
isaac.windes@hearstnp.com
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