Corpus Christi opens warming centers for icy weather

The National Weather Service is forecasting a strong arctic cold front for Corpus Christi beginning Wednesday evening and lasting through Saturday morning, Feb. 2-5. Two hard freezes are predicted for Friday and Saturday morning. Wind chill values could be 13 degrees Friday morning and 17 degrees Saturday morning.
Preparations began Wednesday to implement the city’s winter weather protocols after meeting with the National Weather Service’s Corpus Christi office. The city will ensure proper and safe city services in public safety, transportation, water, homelessness, and animal care. Residents are urged to take this time to protect people and pets by remaining inside and protect property by wrapping outdoor spigots and pipes and covering plants.
Free daytime warming centers will open to the pubic but will not offer places to sleep or food. No pets are allowed. COVID-19 protocols will be in place, and face masks are recommended. 
Centers will be open noon to 6 p.m.Thursday, Feb. 3; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4; and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 5.
The centers are located at: 

• Broadmoor Senior Center, 1651 Tarlton St., 361-826-3138 
• Ethel Eyerly Senior Center, 654 Graham Road, 361-826-2330
• Owen R. Hopkins Library, 3202 McKinzie Road, 361-826-2350
• La Retama Library, 805 Comanche St., 361-826-7055
• Ben F. McDonald Library, 4044 Greenwood Drive, 361-826-2356

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority will provide free transportation to and from the warming centers.
The city is also working with multiple homeless agencies to ensure shelter, meals, and blankets are provided to those in need.
Locations include:

• Salvation Army sanctuary at Center of Hope Church, 1802 Buford St. — Opens at 4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 3-5, for overnight services.
• Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, 210 S. Alameda St.
• Mother Teresa Shelter, 513 Sam Rankin St. — 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday for meals and shelter; open Saturday as a warming center.
• Metro Ministries, 1919 Leopard St. — Open for lunch and dinner and at 9 a.m. as a warming center Thursday and Friday.

City staff are conducting outreach Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday handing out blankets, socks, hats, and homeless shelter information. The Gulf Coast Humane Society will host the pets of homeless persons.
City closings include: 

• COVID-19 testing — Closed Friday and Saturday at the former Memorial Hospital, 2602 Hospital Blvd. All outdoor vaccination clinics canceled Friday and Saturday.
• Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA) — Check with air carrier before leaving for the airport.

The Corpus Christi Fire Department urges residents to be careful with space heaters with these instructions:

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions on using alternate heating devices safely and take time to prepare and inspect the heating equipment before using it.
• NEVER use charcoal grills or other fuel-burning devices indoors since they produce carbon monoxide.
• Keep a close eye on children and pets whenever a space heater is used.
• Always turn heaters off when leaving home.

Report electrical problems to AEP Texas electric company at 1-877-373-4858 for hazards or general calls and 1-866-223-8508 to report outages
Precautions are underway at the water and wastewater operations to ensure utility services are not impacted due to cold weather.
Corpus Christi Water Utilities offered the following advice to protect water pipes and property:

• Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home with newspaper, insulation, or towels.
• Remove garden hoses from outside faucets and insulate outside faucets with a Styrofoam cover, rags, or paper.
• Shut off irrigation systems.

Meals on Wheels clients will receive regular meal delivery on Thursday and Friday.
“Safe Fun-Fit at the Bayfront” is canceled for the weekend.