FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2023
Media Contacts:
Kathryn Kaminski, Office of Supportive Housing (669) 288-2639
Office of Emergency Management Media Line (408) 808-7866
Warming Centers Open This Weekend Throughout Santa Clara County as Cold Temperatures and Frost Return to the Bay Area
A Frost Advisory has been issued starting 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 25 until 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 26
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – Warming centers, including seven County libraries, will open this weekend throughout Santa Clara County to serve as refuge for community members in anticipation of cold temperatures.
The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory starting 4 a.m. on Saturday, March 25 until 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 26. Overnight temperatures are forecasted to be in the low 30s with widespread frost mainly after 3 a.m. and wind gusts as high as 23 mph, causing hazardous conditions for unsheltered community members.
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. Community members must state that they are seeking inclement weather beds when calling for shelter.
Unsheltered individuals in San José can seek an Overnight Warming Location (OWL) bed by calling the referral line at 408-539-2105, or by emailing [email protected].
For a complete list of warming center locations and hours of operation, visit www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
Hours of Operation:
Sat., Mar. 25 – Sun., Mar. 26 from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St.,
Gilroy, CA 95020
Hours of Operation:
Sat., Mar. 25 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 26 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Road
Los Altos, CA 94022
Hours of Operation:
Sat., Mar. 25 – Sun., Mar. 26 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Sat., Mar. 25 – Sun., Mar. 26 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave.
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Hours of Operation:
Sat., Mar. 25 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sun., Mar. 26 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
Hours of Operation:
Sat., Mar. 25 – Sun., Mar. 26 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Woodland Library
1975 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
Hours of Operation
Sat., Mar. 25 – Sun., Mar. 26 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon., Mar. 27 from 11 a.m. – 8 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
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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.