Community members are encouraged to take precautions against hypothermia and to seek out shelter at the nearest warming centers and overnight warming locations
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – Warming centers are open throughout Santa Clara County as cold temperatures arrived today with overnight lows expected to drop into the sub-freezing range of 30s to low 40s. The National Weather Service also expects rain for much of Thursday, creating dangerous conditions for vulnerable community members, particularly those who are unsheltered.
“Hypothermia is a serious medical condition with unsheltered or marginally sheltered persons being at high risk. Volunteer advocates and community partners have been visiting encampments to distribute blankets, tarps, tents and handwarmers, as well as information about other resources to our unsheltered community members,” said Consuelo Hernandez, Director of the County’s Office of Supportive Housing. “We encourage anyone experiencing homelessness to call our Here 4 You Call Center at (408) 385-2400 to seek refuge from the temperatures.”
Community members can also locate Overnight Warming Locations (OWL) by calling the referral line at (408) 539-2105 or by emailing [email protected].
Valley Transportation Authority is offering free bus rides to warming centers today through Sunday, December 4, 2022. Community members will need to let the bus drivers know which locations they are traveling to or from and no proof is required for the free ride.
A complete list of warming centers is available at www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.
COUNTY LIBRARIES
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Friday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St.,
Gilroy, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Thursday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 – Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St.
Milpitas, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Thursday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 – Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave.
Morgan Hill, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 – Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Woodland Library
1975 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Sunday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CITY OF SANTA CLARA
Community Recreation Center (CRC)
969 Kiely Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Thursday, Dec. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Santa Clara Senior Center
1303 Fremont St.
Santa Clara, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Friday, Dec. 2 from 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Road
Santa Clara, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Northside Branch Library
695 Moreland Way
Santa Clara, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington Street
Santa Clara, CA
Hours of Operation
Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1 from 1p.m. to 5 p.m.
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 of 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 can 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 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.
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.
Media Contacts:
Kathleen Conley, Office of Supportive Housing, (408) 709-0178; Kia Xiong / Charles Harris, Office of Emergency Management, Media Line: (408) 808-7866