City Opens Warming Center at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
February 16, 2021 - Downtown
Shelter from the cold. “Today, the City is opening up a warming center for residents who lack power and need a warm place to stay,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Tuesday. Photo: Facebook.
By Jade Esteban Estrada, Staff Writer | San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- On Tuesday, the City of San Antonio opened a warming center at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
- The warming center is prepared to receive up to 500 people
With yet another severe winter weather event expected Tuesday evening and the continued expectation of a longer power outage, the City of San Antonio has opened a warming center at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The center opened to the public at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Residents who were in need of transportation assistance were able to contact 311 to schedule a pickup from VIA Metropolitan Transit. VIA transported individuals to the center between 4:30 and 7 p.m. CPS Energy is expecting continued power outages through at least Wednesday.
“The roads are treacherous, so please use extreme caution if you plan to utilize the shelter,” said San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh. “The convention center will have several hundred cots and meals prepared by the San Antonio Food Bank.”
Walsh added that if individuals were planning to spend the night with extended family, that there is no guarantee that households that currently have power will have power through the night.
READ: Thursday Covid-19 Vaccine Appointments Rescheduled for Monday Due to Icy Weather and Outages
The warming center is prepared to receive up to 500 people. However, because supplies are limited, anyone coming to the convention center should bring clothes, supplies, and medicine that they will need to get through the night. Covid-19 safety protocols, such as physical distancing, the wearing of face coverings, and temperature checks upon entry, will be in effect.
The roads remain dangerous and residents who choose to drive to the center should proceed with extreme caution. The public is asked to continue to stay home unless travel is necessary.
As a result of the icy conditions, many City streets, Bexar County roads and some portions of TxDOT highways are closed or extremely dangerous. Road closure information can be found here.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer for the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | Twitter: @getjaded