Houston officials are preparing for severe cold weather expected to hit the region Sunday night, with Mayor John Whitmire announcing the activation of warming centers across the city to protect vulnerable residents.

Mayor John Whitmire said the city is doing everything possible to make things safe for Houstonians, including opening 10 warming centers across the area.

Ten warming centers will open the evening of Sunday, Jan. 19, Mayor John Whitmire announced during a Jan. 17 press conference. The details The city of Houston is expected to see a

Mayor John Whitmire on Wednesday defended the city’s response to last week’s cold blast, saying officials “worked around” a stringent policy that kept them from opening warming centers, and they tried to make sure those who needed shelter got it.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire took a stab at the city's previous administration, blaming the former mayor for the city's inability to open warming centers during Houston's first freeze. Whitmire and his public safety team joined Chevron officials at a Friday morning press conference to discuss safety precautions and preparation for the colder temperatures ahead of Sunday's Houston Marathon.