Warming Centers Open Throughout Santa Clara County as Major Winter Storm Approaches

A Flood Watch and High Wind Watch have been issued for the entire Bay Area

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch and Wind Watch for the entire Bay Area. Widespread, multiple impacts due to heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds could threaten lives this week. Soils will remain near saturated levels which means higher risk of flooding and shallow mud slides across the region. Expect rapid rises in creeks, streams, and rivers that may approach or reach flood stage. Strong winds with gusts between 35-55 mph (potentially higher in the mountains) could lead to downed trees and power outages.

“The County’s Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) works closely with the Office of Emergency Management and has been coordinating with community-based organizations, volunteer advocates, and local jurisdictions prior to the last storm,” said Kathryn Kaminsky, Deputy Director of the Office of Supportive Housing. “County staff continues to coordinate with partners seven days a week to support unhoused individuals during this inclement weather event. The County has been working with shelter providers to add inclement weather beds and has extended the county-wide hotline hours for individuals seeking shelter. OSH gathers up-to-date information on shelter vacancies and coordinates with service providers to ensure all available beds are utilized every night. Transportation resources are also available to unhoused individuals through the shelter hotline.”

Displaced residents of rivers, creeks and stream beds should seek higher ground and respite from the elements when centers are available. To find your nearest warming center location or overnight shelter beds call the Here 4 You hotline at (408) 385-2400. Hours are extended to 8 p.m. during inclement weather activation.

“The Valley Homeless Healthcare Program’s Cold Weather Outreach (CWO) team of nurses, outreach workers and social workers has been working in the field since the beginning of December. The team, working five days every week, has been handing out blankets, tarps, hand warmers and other cold-weather supplies, and transporting clients to warming shelters at their request,” said Dr. Sara Jeevanjee, Medical Director at Valley Homeless Healthcare Program. “They also educate clients on the risks of hypothermia. We are also working with our partners at the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing and other community partners to share resources and information.”

For a complete list of warming center locations and hours of operation, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.  

Cupertino Library

10800 Torre Ave.

Cupertino, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Fri., Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 7 to Sun., Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Gilroy Library

350 W. 6th St.

Gilroy, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Wed., Jan. 4 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Thurs., Jan. 5 to Sat., Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Los Altos Library

13 S. San Antonio Road

Los Altos, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Thurs., Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 6 to Sun., Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Milpitas Library

160 N. Main St.

Milpitas, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Thurs., Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 6 to Sun., Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Morgan Hill Library

660 W. Main Ave.

Morgan Hill, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Wed., Jan. 4 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Thurs., Jan. 5 to Sat., Jan. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sun., Jan. 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Saratoga Library

13650 Saratoga Ave.

Saratoga, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Sun., Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Woodland Library

1975 Grant Road

Los Altos, CA

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 3 to Sun., Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We encourage community members, especially those without shelter, to take precautions against hypothermia and to seek out warming centers. Outreach workers, community partners and volunteers continue to visit encampments and distribute blankets, ponchos, tarps and tents while providing information about warming centers to those who are unsheltered. Please call the Here 4 You Hotline at (408) 385-2400 for shelter beds (limited availability).

People who may be vulnerable and at higher risk of hypothermia include those who are 65 and older and young children. Alcohol, drug use, and medications can also increase the risk of hypothermia. Left untreated, hypothermia limits your nervous system from working correctly. It can cause a complete failure of your heart and respiratory system and can even be fatal.

The Office of Emergency Management urges community members to sign up for AlertSCC, make an emergency plan, build an emergency supply kit, and help family, friends and neighbors prepare for cold temperatures.

Cold Weather Safety Tips

• Do NOT burn charcoal or other flammable materials in an enclosed space to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Drive slowly and be on the lookout for hazardous travel with slick road conditions including possible ponding on roads and freeway off-ramps and minor flooding in low-lying or poor drainage areas.
• Unsheltered community members, older adults, children and those with access and functional needs should seek shelter now as they are at higher risks hypothermia.
• Avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, or for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather.
• Dress in layers, wear a hat, scarf, gloves and mittens, and waterproof, insulated boots to avoid hypothermia or frostbite.
• Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible to reduce the risk of hypothermia.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water with electrolytes.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and non-prescription medication if you will be staying outside as it may lead to death or serious injury.
• Seek medical attention immediately and call 9-1-1 if you see someone experiencing hypothermia.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is about 98.6 F, and hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops below 95 F.

People who are 65 and older or very young children are at a higher risk of hypothermia. Alcohol, drug use, and medications can also increase the risk of hypothermia. Left untreated, hypothermia limits your nervous system from working correctly. It can cause a complete failure of your heart and your respiratory system, and it can even be fatal.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Exhaustion
• Severe shivering
• Clumsiness and lack of coordination
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Weak pulse
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Progressive loss of consciousness

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About the County of Santa Clara’s Joint Information Center

The Emergency Operations Joint Information Center provided coordinated public information and messaging in times of emergencies and disasters occurring in Santa Clara County. We partner with our local jurisdictions to provided critical information to the public that encourage life safety actions. The Joint Information Center is staffed by county public information officers who currently support the twenty emergency support functions defined in the county’s emergency operations plan including transportation, communications, construction and engineering, fire and rescue, management, care and shelter, resources, public health and medical, search and rescue, hazardous materials response, food and agriculture, utilities, law enforcement, recover, public information, animal services, volunteer management, cyber security donations management and continuity of operations / government.

Media Contacts:        

County of Santa Clara

Emergency Operations Center

Joint Information Center Media Line (408) 808-7866