Emergency Refuge Centers and Daytime Warming Centers will Open this Weekend

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – A cold front will push into the area, dropping temperatures to near freezing on Friday night. Strong north winds will create hazardous marine conditions through Saturday.

Saturday morning wind chills (feels like temperature) are expected to be slightly below 32 degrees.

Sunday morning temperatures will remain cold but are not expected to drop below freezing. A warming trend is predicted for Monday.

The City of Corpus Christi will provide the following services:      

·         Emergency Refuge Centers

·         Free Transportation via the RTA

·         Meal Service

·         Shower Access

·         Pet Care

·         Daytime Warming Centers

Emergency Refuge Centers

To keep people and pets safe, the City will open two Emergency Refuge Centers:

·         Ben Garza Gym, 1815 Howard Street

·         Del Mar College Windward Campus FEMA Dome, 4101 Old Brownsville Road (Entrance #1)

Starting Friday at 5:00 p.m., both centers will operate continuously through Sunday morning, depending on weather conditions.

Daytime Warming Centers                                                             

The City offers all libraries as daytime warming centers during regular hours, for more information and schedules, visit: 

https://www.corpuschristitx.gov/department-directory/libraries/

Additionally, some libraries will offer an extended schedule during the weekend:

Along with the libraries, several Senior Centers will be available with regular operating hours for those seeking a warm place.

Senior Centers:

Lindale Senior Center 3135 Swantner Drive 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday

Greenwood Senior Center 4040 Greenwood Drive 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday

Garden Senior Center 5325 Greely Drive 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday

Northwest Senior Center 9725 Up River Road 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday

Zavala Senior Center 510 Osage 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday

Broadmoor Senior Center 1651 Tarlton Street 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday

Ethel Eyerly Senior Center 654 Graham Road 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. / Monday through Friday, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Transportation

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) will allow individuals to ride fare-free upon telling their Bus Operator they will travel to the nearest Daytime Warming Center or the Emergency Refuge Centers. The return trip is also free. For more information, go to https://www.ccrta.org.

As part of the City's efforts, Corpus Christi Police Officers will monitor people they encounter during patrols to determine whether assistance is needed, including providing transportation and blankets.

Pets

Animal Care Services will provide kennels and food for pets at the overnight refuge center. Arrangements have been made with a partner agency to accept pets of unhoused individuals during this cold-weather event.

The City is in communication with Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, which is also providing overnight shelter, and will continue to monitor weather conditions and maintain communication with service providers. 

Donations and Volunteers

The Emergency Refuge Centers are not staffed to handle donations or volunteer management. The City is partnering with The Free Store to provide Emergency Refuge Center guests with the cold weather items they need. No donations of food or clothing will be accepted at the Emergency Refuge Centers.  For those wishing to donate items or volunteer during cold-weather events, the City recommends that you contact the following local agencies:

The following local agencies are willing to accept donations and volunteers:

• Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, 1919 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78408, (361) 887-0151
• Dismas Recovery Center, 1201 Agnes Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401, (361) 445-2053
• Mission 911, 911 Park Avenue, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (361) 882-0911
• Mother Teresa Shelter, 513 Sam Rankin Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78408, (361) 883-7372
• The Free Store Corpus Christi, 702 Furman Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 (361) 319-0933
• Timon’s Ministries, 10501 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, (361) 937-6196

The following local agency is willing to accept donations only:

Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, 902 Nueces Bay Boulevard, Corpus Christi, TX 78408 (361) 765-0297 

Customer Service

Residents can also contact the City’s 3-1-1 Call Center by dialing 3-1-1 or using the free mobile app. Customer Service 3-1-1 will be operating Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For more information, media representatives can contact Robert Gonzales, Public Information Manager, at 361-826-3233 or robertg8@corpuschristitx.gov.