Arctic blast: Cold weather shelters, warming centers available in Central Texas
AUSTIN, Texas - Due to the freezing and sub-freezing temperatures hitting Central Texas over the next couple of days, cold weather shelters and warming centers have been activated.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from noon, Jan. 14 through noon, Jan. 15 and temperatures are expected to stay very cold through Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 17).
A Hard Freeze Warning has also been issued for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 through 10 a.m. Jan. 17.
Below is a list of available cold weather shelters and warming centers in Central Texas arranged by county in alphabetical order. This list will be updated periodically.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management also has a list of warming centers available online.
Bastrop County
Bastrop
A cold weather shelter will open Sunday night at Calvary Episcopal Church's Parish Hall at 1028 Main Street.
The shelter will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a warm and safe space for those in need, says the church. Anyone needing help due to the cold is welcome to come.
The church says it expects to open again on Monday and Tuesday night if needed.
Bell County
Killeen
The City of Killeen is partnering with Liberty Christian Center to open an emergency overnight Warming Center for Sunday night.
Liberty Christian Center at 4107 Westcliff Road will open to those in need at 8 p.m. Sunday and will stay open until 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15 to provide shelter to those in need. If no one is utilizing the service by 11:30 p.m., then the warming center will close.
Transportation will be provided to Liberty Christian Center from the Main Library downtown at 205 East Church Avenue by the City of Killeen from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Bexar County
San Antonio/Bexar County
Bexar County will be operating 11 warming centers across the county starting at 9 p.m. Jan. 14 through Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 8 a.m.
All county residents are welcome at any warming center. The centers will have access to basic needs and supplies, shelter from the severe cold, access to power and device charging, and free Wi-Fi.
County Warming Centers
- Lighthouse Christian Temple - 8201 Old Pearsall Road, San Antonio, TX 78252
- Outer West Community Church - 12280 Alamo Ranch Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78254
- St. Padre Pio Catholic Church - 3843 Bulverde Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78259
- Christ the King Lutheran Church - 1129 Pat Booker Road, Universal City, TX 78148
- Elmendorf Community Library - 203 Bexar Avenue, Elmendorf, TX 78112
San Antonio Warming Centers
- Copernicus Community Center - 5003 Lord Rd, San Antonio 78220
- Southside Lions Senior Center - 3303 Pecan Valley Dr, San Antonio 78210
- Normoyle Community Center - 700 Culberson Ave, San Antonio 78225
- Miller's Pond Community Center - 6075 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio 78242
- Garza Community Center - 1450 Mira Vista, San Antonio 78228
- Northeast Senior Center - 4135 Thousand Oaks, San Antonio 78217
A map of additional warming centers in San Antonio can be found here.
Caldwell County
Lockhart
A warming shelter is open now at Calvary Chapel Lockhart at 204 N. Main Street.
Warm meals and a place to sleep will be provided through Tuesday, according to the Caldwell County Office of Emergency Management.
Comal County
New Braunfels
The city of New Braunfels will have two warming centers available on Monday, Jan. 15 and Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Gruene United Methodist Church will be operating a warming center in their Outreach Building, located at 2629 East Common St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Another warming center is available through the Crisis Center of Comal County, located at 655 Landa St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The city is reminding the public these centers are for temporary relief, but are not shelters. Those needing overnight accommodation are advised to contact the New Braunfels Salvation Army at 830-608-9129.
Hays County
San Marcos
Southside Community Center in San Marcos has opened its Cold Weather Emergency Shelter.
The Hays County Office of Emergency Management says the center has 32 cots set up, another 20 on standby, and plans to increase capacity including motel rooms for families and others as needed.
Travis County
Austin
Cold Weather Shelters
Cold weather shelters have been activated in the city of Austin starting Saturday evening through Thursday morning.
Registration for shelter will occur between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. each evening at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Road, which will act as the central embarkation point for individuals seeking an overnight shelter.
CapMetro bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142, 801. Anyone seeking cold weather shelter and does not have the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride.
Individuals can get information about access and activation by calling the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512-972-5055.
Additional guidance for cold weather shelter guests is available here.
Warming Centers
Three locations at Austin Public Library are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to serve as warming centers for those needing a reprieve from the cold during the day. Those locations are:
- Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Ln.
- Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd.
- Terrazas Branch, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St.
Austin Public Library and Austin Parks and Recreation Department facilities are available as warming centers during normal business hours, and service animals are welcome. To find the one nearest you, use the City of Austin Warming Centers Map.
Warming centers are meant to serve as a temporary reprieve from the cold and are not overnight shelters.
Williamson County
Georgetown
If there is a loss of power, the Williamson County Sheriff's Office will open a warming center at their office upon request at 508 Rock Street.
The sheriff's office lobby is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Those who experience a power loss are advised to contact their utility provider and not call 9-1-1 to report it. Please leave the 9-1-1 lines open for emergencies.
Hutto
The City of Hutto will open a warming center from 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, until 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, located at Hutto City Hall: 500 West Live Oak Street, Hutto TX 78634. This is open to anyone in the Hutto area.
Here's what you need to know:
- A meal and blanket will be provided.
- Pets in crates are welcome.
- Limited charging is available for computers/mobile devices.
- The facility is ADA-compliant.
- The facility is climate-controlled.
The Hutto City Hall warming center will be supervised by Hutto emergency management staff, as well as volunteers from Hutto and the American Red Cross and further support from Hutto ISD.
Windchill remains a danger through Wednesday! Anyone who is concerned about someone’s ability to stay safe and warm can call the Hutto Police Department’s Non-Emergency phone number at 512-846-2200 for assistance. That number is 512-846-2200.
Jarrell
Jarrell ISD is opening the Jarrell Middle School gym as a warming center to provide people with shelter.
The district says this decision is due to part of the community being without electricity.
People needing warmth can go to the school at 101 E. Avenue F in Jarrell and enter through the middle school gym.
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