FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2023
Media Contacts:
Michelle Covert, Office of Supportive Housing (408) 878-5298
Office of Emergency Management, Media Line: (408) 808-7866
Warming Centers are Open in Santa Clara County as Winter Storm Watch Issued for Higher Elevations in the South Bay
Cold temperatures, rain and snow levels as low as 1,000 to 1,500 feet are forecasted overnights through Sunday.
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The U.S. National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for higher elevations in the South Bay which are expected to have snow levels down between 1,000 and 1,500 feet. Cold air behind the front will make for frigid temperatures Thursday through Saturday for the entire region starting on Thursday morning. Overnight temperatures are expected to dip into the mid to low 30s. People who are most vulnerable to cold temperatures, such as people who are unsheltered, should take precautions against hypothermia and seek shelter.
The County’s Office of Supportive Housing encourages community members and people who are unsheltered to take precautions against hypothermia and to go to warming centers.
Outreach workers, community partners and volunteers are visiting encampments to distribute blankets, ponchos, tarps and tents while providing information about warming centers to people who are unsheltered. The Here 4 You Hotline at 408-385-2400 will operate with extended hours of 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the inclement weather period.
Unsheltered individuals in San Jose can seek an Overnight Warming Location (OWL) bed by calling the referral line at 408-539-2105 or by emailing [email protected].
People who are unsheltered in the areas of Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin should call Brian Malicdem at 669-286-0585, email at [email protected] or call the South County Compassion Center at 408-763-7120 for a referral to the Community Christian Church Overnight Warming Location.
For a complete list of warming center locations and hours of operation, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.
Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Road
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 from noon – 7: p.m.
Friday, Feb. 24 – Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Friday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 25 – Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St.,
Gilroy, CA 95020
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 1 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 24 – Saturday, Feb. 25 from 1 – 9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 24 – Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 24 – Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 from noon – 5 p.m.
Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave.
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from noon – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 – Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26 from 1 – 5 p.m.
Northside Branch Library
695 Moreland Way
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Hours of Operation:
Wed., Feb. 22 from noon – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 from noon – 7 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 24 – Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Santa Clara Senior Center
1303 Fremont St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Hours of Operations:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Friday, Feb. 24 from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 – Sunday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Woodland Library
1975 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
Hours of Operation
Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23 – Sunday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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 while staying outside as it may lead to death or serious injury.
- Seek medical attention immediately and call 9-1-1 if someone is 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 the nervous system from working correctly. It can cause a complete failure of your heart, 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
# # #
About the Office of Supportive Housing
The County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing’s (OSH) mission is to increase the supply of housing and supportive housing that is affordable and available to extremely low income and/or special needs households. OSH supports the County mission of promoting a healthy, safe, and prosperous community by ending and preventing homelessness. During emergencies and disasters, OSH mobilizes and supports service providers and outreach workers to make extra visits to encampments to distribute water and provide information for services. OSH works closely with the Office of Emergency Management to ensure coordination of resources and communication while serving vulnerable populations in our community. For more information about the Office of Supportive Housing, please visit https://osh.sccgov.org/home.
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for supporting first responders including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical services in emergencies and disasters. We are also responsible for facilitating the coordination of resources from Local and State partners, community-based organizations, and faith based organizations to provide community members with relief and supplies in an emergency or disaster. Our mission is to safeguard lives, property, and the environment through strategic coordination of cross‐functional operations during preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of emergency management. Improving the governmental, economic, and operational efficiency and resiliency of the County of Santa Clara and the entire Operational Area (Op Area). To learn more about the Office of Emergency Management, please visit www.PrepareSCC.org.