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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            

January 27, 2023

 

Media Contacts:        

Michelle Covert, Office of Supportive Housing (408)878-5298

Office of Emergency Management, Media Line: (408) 808-7866

Warming Centers Open Starting Monday in Santa Clara County as Frost and Freezing Temperatures Are Forecasted to Return Sunday into Wednesday

A Freeze Watch has been issued for Sunday night into Monday morning. Those most vulnerable to cold temperatures should take precautions against hypothermia and seek shelter.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch for most of the Bay Area starting Sunday night into Monday morning. Frost and freezing temperatures are possible for many areas during the nights and mornings on Sunday into Wednesday with overnight temperatures dipping into the mid to low 30s.

We encourage our community members to take precautions against hypothermia and to seek out warming centers in your community. The County’s Office of Supportive Housing encourages people who are unsheltered to take advantage of 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. The hotline will operate with extended hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the inclement weather period.

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, respiratory system, and can even be fatal.

Currently, County libraries are operating as Warming Centers for those in need of a warm place to stay during the daytime hours. For a complete list of Warming Center locations and hours of operation, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.  Unhoused individuals in San Jose can also seek Overnight Warming Location (OWL) bed by calling the referral line at (408) 539-2105 or by emailing [email protected].

 

Central Park Library

2635 Homestead Road

Santa Clara, CA 95051

Hours of Operation:

Mon., Jan. 30 from 10 am – 2 pm

Tues., Jan. 31 from 12 pm - 7 pm

Wed., Feb. 1 from 12 pm - 6 pm

 

Community Recreation Center

969 Kiely Blvd

Santa Clara, CA 95051

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 - Wed., Feb. 1 from 8:30 am to 6 pm

 

Cupertino Library

10800 Torre Ave.

Cupertino, CA 95014

Hours of Operation:

Mon., Jan. 30 – Wed., Feb. 1 from 10 am – 9 pm

 

Gilroy Library

350 W. 6th St.,

Gilroy, CA 95020

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 – Wed., Feb. 1 from 1 pm – 9 pm

 

Los Altos Library

13 S. San Antonio Road

Los Altos, CA 94022

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 – Wed., Feb. 1 from 10 am – 9 pm

 

Milpitas Library

160 N. Main St.

Milpitas, CA 95035

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 – Wed., Feb 1 from 10 am – 9 pm

 

Mission Branch Library

1098 Lexington Street

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 from 9 am - 5 pm

Tues., Jan. 31 from 12 pm to 7 pm

Wed., Feb 1 from 9 am - 5 pm

 

Morgan Hill Library

660 W. Main Ave.

Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 – Wed., Feb. 1 from 12 pm – 9 pm

 

Northside Branch Library

695 Moreland Way

Santa Clara, CA 95054

Hours of Operation

Tues., Jan. 31 from 12 pm - 7 pm

Wed., Feb. 1 from 12 pm to 6 pm

 

Santa Clara Senior Center

1303 Fremont St.

Santa Clara, CA 95050

Hours of Operations

Mon., Jan. 30 through Wed., Feb. 1 from 7 am to 3 pm

 

Saratoga Library

13650 Saratoga Ave.

Saratoga, CA 95070

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 – Tues., Jan. 31 from 10 am – 9 pm

Wed., Feb. 1 from 10 am – 6 pm

 

Woodland Library

1975 Grant Road

Los Altos, CA 94024

Hours of Operation

Mon., Jan. 30 – Wed., Feb. 1 from 11 am – 8 pm

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, 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 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.