Montgomery Co. Churches Open Shelters Amid Winter Crisis

**Montgomery County Churches Become Lifelines as Arctic Blast Plunges Region into Darkness and Freezing Cold**

**MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX – February 19, 2021** – As an unprecedented arctic blast, dubbed Winter Storm Uri, gripped Texas from Sunday, February 14, through Thursday, February 18, it plunged Montgomery County into a state of emergency. With temperatures plummeting well below freezing and wind chills making it feel sub-zero, the region endured widespread power outages, forcing tens of thousands from their frozen homes and sending many seeking refuge in local churches transformed into warming shelters.

The severe weather, described by meteorologists as a once-in-a-generation event not seen in decades, triggered a catastrophic failure of the state’s power grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). While the impact was felt statewide, Montgomery County was particularly hard hit. By Monday evening, February 15, over 100,000 Entergy customers in the county were without electricity, a situation that largely persisted for days, with some residents experiencing outages lasting more than 72 hours.

As homes grew dangerously cold, pipes burst, and roads became impassable due to ice, a grassroots community response emerged. Churches across Conroe, Willis, The Woodlands, and Montgomery quickly mobilized, opening their doors and becoming vital lifelines for residents.

Mims Chapel United Methodist Church in Conroe was one such haven. By Tuesday, February 16, Rev. Carolyn Burford reported the church was at capacity, providing warmth, cots, blankets, and hot meals prepared by dedicated volunteers to about 30 people.

Among those seeking solace at Mims Chapel were Jeff and Amanda Sneed, who arrived with their three young children after their Conroe home lost power Monday afternoon and their pipes subsequently burst. “It was just too cold to stay,” Amanda Sneed shared, visibly relieved to find a warm place for her family. Randy Reber, another Conroe resident, also found his way to the church Tuesday morning when his power went out, escaping a bone-chilling 28-degree indoor temperature. “You can only bundle up so much before you need real heat,” Reber commented, grateful for the shelter.

Other significant shelters included Church Project in The Woodlands, First Baptist Church of Conroe, and Conroe First Methodist Church. Dr. David Bowman from First Baptist Conroe emphasized the widespread community effort, noting their church served approximately 65 people. “We’re not just taking people in; our volunteers are cooking and delivering meals to other shelters that might be running low on resources,” Dr. Bowman stated, highlighting the interconnectedness of the relief efforts.

Local officials and state agencies also played a crucial role in coordinating resources. The Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) assisted in distributing supplies, and Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley was seen providing blankets and other necessities to shelters. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough issued multiple disaster declarations throughout the week, urging residents to stay home, conserve resources, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Entergy, the primary power provider for much of the county, worked around the clock to restore service, facing challenges including frozen equipment and unprecedented demand that strained the entire grid.

While many shelters faced their own struggles, some experiencing intermittent power fluctuations or water issues, they remained resilient. Volunteers often worked in challenging conditions, relying on generators, propane heaters, and the generosity of community donations to keep operations running.

As temperatures slowly began to rise above freezing by Thursday and power restoration efforts continued across the county, the immediate crisis started to subside. However, the long-term impacts, including widespread property damage from burst pipes, overwhelmed plumbing services, and lingering utility issues, will continue to challenge Montgomery County residents in the coming weeks.

These community hubs, often powered by faith and volunteer spirit, provided not just warmth and food, but also a sense of solidarity and hope amidst one of the most brutal winter storms in Texas history. Their doors remain open, continuing to assist those whose homes are still without heat or water, proving to be an indispensable part of the county’s recovery efforts.