With such prosperous growth as has been seen in contemporary Houston, it makes sense that eventually we would have to start running out of stuff as well. Being a flat (and endangered) prairie the region still has plenty of land to use and misuse.  With the subtropical climate and proximity to the Gulf, the region is once again blessed with rainfall after a scorching drought.  So with so many people moving to town, what has Houston run out of?

The answer is surprisingly simple… telephone numbers.  The region’s three existing area codes have almost been totally exhausted, and it’s time to expand.  Here’s more from Fox 26 news…

Beginning in July, 346 will join the existing club of southeast Texas area codes 713, 281, and 832.The fourth area code for Houston and nearby surrounding cities and counties will overlay existing area codes 713, 281 and 832 in Harris, Fort Bend, Waller, Austin, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, and Brazoria counties.

Based upon projections that there will be no more numbers available to assign to the 713, 281, and 832 area codes by Sept. 30, the North American Number Planning Administrator assigned the 346 area code.

The 346 area code will not require any reprogramming changes to existing equipment because an area code overlay with 10-digit dialing for local calls already exists in the affected area, according to a statement released by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.