City activates cold weather shelters Tuesday as temperatures expected to drop into low 30s, 20s
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The city of Austin is activating cold weather shelters beginning overnight Tuesday going into Thursday due to temperatures dipping into the low 30s and 20s during those days, the agency said in a news release.
Furthermore, the city said temperatures on Monday did not “meet the activation threshold,” so it did not plan to open.
“Shelters will open when forecasted overnight temperatures at Camp Mabry are expected to reach 35 degrees or below,” the city said.
ERCOT issued a weather watch, due to cold weather expected across the region for Wednesday and Thursday. Additionally, Gov. Greg Abbott held a briefing earlier Monday on how the state is preparing for its response before the cold weather hits.
Registration will happen from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), located at 505 Barton Springs Road. The city said this acts as the “central embarkation point” for those seeking overnight shelter.
Anyone seeking information about access and activation can call the Cold Weather Shelter Hotline at 512-972-5055.
Bus routes to One Texas Center include lines 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142 and 801, according to the city. Anyone who cannot pay the fare will still be able to ride.
Those seeking to stay at the shelters can also bring their belongings, as long as they can transport them to the OTC and onto a CapMetro Bus,” the release said.
Pets are allowed at the shelters if they are not aggressive, leashed and can sleep with their owners. Pet owners should inform the OTC if they need crates when registering. Anyone with a car can come to the One Texas Center, check in and take their vehicle to the shelter they’re staying at.
The shelters will also provide meals, and women and couples can stay at the same shelter in a separate area “as capacity allows,” according to the city.
The city said hotel vouchers will also be provided to “families with children and unaccompanied minors seeking shelter during activation periods.”
