Warming centers in the Bay Area are opening their doors this weekend as the region prepares for a cold spell that could bring temperatures down into the 30s.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze watch for most of the Bay Area from Sunday night into Monday morning, prompting officials from municipal and county governments to urge people to take precautions and seek shelter from the cold if they need it.
And in Marin County, officials activated an emergency shelter in response to the warning, where residents can seek shelter from the cold on Sunday and Monday night.
In Santa Clara County, libraries and community centers will be operating as warming shelters during the day for people in need. Those locations include:
- Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Road
- Community Recreation Center, 969 Kiely Blvd.
- Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave.
- Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth St.
- Los Altos Library, 13 S. Antonio Road
- Milpitas Library, 160 N. Main St.
- Mission Branch Library, 1098 Lexington St.
- Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave.
- Northside Branch Library, 695 Moreland Way
- Santa Clara Senior Center, 1303 Fremont Way
- Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave.
- Woodland Library, 1975 Grant Road
The county will keep the shelters open from Monday to Wednesday. The shelters’ individual operating hours vary, but none of them remain open overnight. Residents seeking shelter throughout the night can seek an overnight warming location by calling the county’s referral line at 408-539-2105 or by emailing owlreferrals@homefirstscc.org, according to the county.
The severe temperatures coming to the Bay Area can make residents vulnerable to hypothermia, especially young children and people over 65, the county said. Hypothermia damages the body’s nervous system, can cause organ failure and can even be fatal.
Outreach workers and volunteers with Santa Clara County’s Office of Supportive Housing are planning to visit encampments and distribute supplies, including blankets, tarps, ponchos, tents and information about warming centers to people who are unsheltered ahead of the cold weather. Residents can also call the county’s hotline at 408-385-2400 for support during the cold spell.
The county also offered other guidelines for cold weather safety. Those guidelines include:
- Avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day
- Drive slowly and look out for hazardous weather conditions
- Do not burn charcoal or other flammable materials in closed spaces
- Stay hydrated
- Wear layers
- Seek shelter in advance if needed, especially if you’re from a vulnerable population — unhoused people, children, adults over 65, and people with medical needs
- Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol or non-prescription medication if you’re going to be outside
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately for anyone who may be experiencing hypothermia
Source: www.mercurynews.com