People seeking warmth fill Austin overnight warming shelters during freezing weather
Luz Moreno-Lozano
While more than 430 people took refuge in Austin's overnight warming shelters Thursday night as a dayslong cold snap arrived in Texas, that number is just a fraction of the more than 3,600 unsheltered people in the city experiencing homelessness who were counted in October.
As an Arctic airmass moved into the Central Texas area, bringing single-digit wind chills, EMS medics and several volunteers across Austin rushed to homeless encampments, hoping to get as many people as possible to warmer places.
Selena Xie, president of Austin EMS Association, said medics spent Thursday and Friday informing homeless residents about the impending weather and getting them to shelters.
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"We are a very unique resource because we have the ability to reach people that no one else can," Xie said. "We always talk about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment. We know we have a vulnerable population that we see because of medical needs, and it's important that we are proactive about this."
Many people weren't aware of the shelters and scrambled to gather belongings and pets, with many leaving things behind. About 100 medics and volunteers helped people with what they could, including transportation and packing, Xie said.
"A lot of people were making hard decisions about what to take," Xie said. "That is why we want that three days (of advance notice), so that we are giving people plenty of time to prepare and make arrangements."
In the days leading up to the freezing weather's arrival, Xie and others were critical of the city's lack of transparency about its shelter plans until the city eventually released information Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Some people, however, did decide to rough it through the frigid night, so medics and volunteers gave those individuals blankets, warmers and other supplies to get them through the freezing temperatures.
However, Xie and other city officials believe many people will change their minds after the first night in the freezing temperatures and will move to overnight shelters for the weekend.
"Last night was the first big test, and I am proud of EMS and the way all of our different resources worked to take care of people," Xie said. "I think we will see a shift of people wanting to go to the shelters, and we will continue to help and monitor people very closely throughout the weekend."
Austin-Travis County EMS medics responded to 17 cold weather exposure calls on Thursday. Medics did not receive any calls related to carbon monoxide exposure that day.
The city initially set up three shelters Thursday evening, then opened a fourth location overnight in response to high demand. Officials said they anticipate a higher volume of people Friday night.
Registration for overnight shelters is available from 6-8 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road. From there, people will be transported to nearby overnight shelters. Pets that are not aggressive and can sleep with their owners are welcome.
Daytime warming centers will also be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the following locations: Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Lane; Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.; Turner Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Drive; George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Drive. Pets are not allowed inside the daytime warming centers, but facility staff can contact Animal Services to provide pet support.
In Williamson County, the city of Leander opened a temporary warming center at Life Church at 1393 Woodview Drive. The warming center is open 24 hours daily while the cold weather persists, although it is not equipped for people to sleep overnight, said Mike Neu, a city spokesman.
Some Atmos Energy customers in Williamson County reported that they have no heat after the gas utility sent a message at 9 a.m. Friday urging people to conserve natural gas to help maintain service.
"Currently, Atmos told us there are 171 customers who have reported gas outages in Leander, with probably others who have not yet reported," Neu said. "At this time, we believe the issue is focused mostly in our Travisso and Grand Mesa neighborhoods in the southwest area of the city." Atmos did not respond to a request for comment.
Other organizations across Austin will also offer shelter and warming centers.
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Lifeworks, an Austin nonprofit that supports youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness, helped individuals stay warm. CEO Susan McDowell said the organization helped place people into overnight shelter or find alternative places, such as hotels, for those people in need.
Lifeworks placed several dozen people into the city's overnight cold weather shelters, McDowell said.
"We urge everyone to take concern around people they see, or in their lives, who may not have the privilege of housing tonight," McDowell said. "We will have our hotline and youth resources open throughout the weekend so that we make sure people have access to resources and services through the city to stay safe."
Youth seeking help can call 512-473-9125 or visit the resource center at 835 N. Pleasant Valley Road.
The Austin Firefighters Association also took people in overnight. Bob Nicks of the Austin Firefighters Association said the organization housed almost 20 people Thursday and can take up to 30. Those in need can call 512-217-3474 for a ride and more information.
The Austin Area Urban League is also staffing a 24-hour hotline for those in need at 512-478-7176.
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Any updates on shelters, warming centers and other changes will be announced at austintexas.gov/alerts.
If members of the community would like to help, there are several ways to do so:
Contact the American Red Cross to inquire about monetary donations or volunteer at redcross.org or 1-800-REDCROSS.
The Austin Area Urban League is accepting donations such as socks and clothing for people experiencing homelessness. Supplies can be dropped at Southbridge Shelter at 2711 S. Interstate 35. Contact the Austin Area Urban League at aaul.org for more information.
The Central Texas Food Bank is accepting monetary and food donations. Most requested food items are peanut butter; canned chicken or tuna; canned low sodium vegetables; canned fruit in its own juice; dry pinto beans; brown rice; nonfat dry milk; and 100% whole grain cereal. Donations can be dropped off at 6500 Metropolis Drive. See centraltexasfoodbank.org for more information or to make a monetary donation.
Staff Writer Claire Osborn contributed to this report.