KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 17, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
Katy temperatures are expected to rise into the 100’s causing concern as ERCOT continues to ask residents to conserve energy to prevent power outages. Fort Bend County has opened emergency cooling enters, including Cinco Ranch Branch Library near LaCenterra.
“Several public facilities located throughout the County (Fort Bend County) will open and serve as Emergency Cooling Centers, Wednesday thru Friday,” says Fort Bend County Judge KP George.
Cinco Ranch Branch Library located at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd. will serve as an emergency center in Katy.
Fort Bend County Residents Without AC Can Escape the Heat
The cooling centers provide Fort Bend County residents without air-conditioning at home with a way to escape the heat. The cooling centers are free. All centers will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through this Friday at most sites.
Times and days could change as officials monitor the situation.
“We are expecting extremely dangerous heat this week, so we want to advise Fort Bend County residents to prepare for the intense temperatures,” says Judge George. “I encourage everyone to check on their family, friends, and neighbors, especially our elderly and children, who may be at risk during this heatwave.”
ERCOT Asks Texans to Conserve Energy
ERCOT asked Texans on Monday to conservation energy due to "tight grid conditions." Many Katy residents lost power during February’s winter storms when the grid couldn’t support the amount of energy that was needed. Now residents worry about power outages during such heat.
While some Katy residents have experienced brief outages during recent thunderstorms, no outages have been linked grid issues at this time.
“Our Office of Emergency Management will continue to closely monitor weather conditions throughout this period of extreme heat,” says Judge George.
Other cooling centers in Fort Bend County near Katy residents are:
George Memorial Library
1001 Golfview Dr.
Richmond
Bob Lutts Fulshear/ Simonton Branch
8100 FM 359 South
Fulshear
Mission Bend Branch Library
8421 Addicks Clodine Rd.
Houston