City, county opens warming centers as arctic weather hits the Coastal Bend

With South Texas bracing for a cold Christmas, cities and counties in the Coastal Bend have opened up warming centers for the community.

According to weather forecasts, wind chills in the teens and single digits are expected Friday morning with cold weather expected until Christmas Day.

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The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority will be providing free rides to and from Nueces County warming centers. Those traveling to a warming center can notify bus operators when boarding and current B-Line customers can receive free transportation to and from warming centers by scheduling a trip at 361-289-5881.

Nueces County

One warming center, the Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds center in Robstown, will remain open overnight until Christmas morning. The Robstown center will be staffed around the clock and police, fire and EMS will also be on site.

All other Nueces County centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on certain days.

According to a city of Corpus Christi news release, the city is working with homeless agencies to provide shelter, meals and blankets.

The Salvation Army is increasing capacity for an additional 100 people at its 1804 Buford Street location from Thursday through Monday morning.

The Salvation Army is also collecting sleeping bag and food donations. Those interested in contributing can call 361-884-9497.

The Gulf Coast Humane Society will host the pets of homeless persons as well.

  • Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds at 1213 Terry Shamsie Boulevard in Robstown will be open all day and overnight from 6 p.m. Thursday until 9 a.m. Sunday. The suggested bus route to get to this center is Route 27. Call 361-387-9000 for more information. Family pets are allowed, but owners must provide food and no exotic pets are allowed.

  • Oveal Williams Senior Center at 1414 Martin Luther King in Corpus Christi will only be open Friday. The suggested bus route to get to the nearest stop is Route 12.

  • Northwest Senior Center at 9725 Up River Road in Corpus Christi will be open Friday only. The recommended bus route is Route 27. Stop 1368 at War Path is an approximately 15 minute walk from the center.

  • Zavala Activity Center at 510 Osage Street in Corpus Christi will be open Friday only. The recommended bus route is Route 37.

  • Greenwood Senior Center at 4040 Greenwood Drive in Corpus Christi will be open Friday only. Recommended bus routes are Route 21 and Route 23.

  • Broadmoor Senior Center at 1651 Tarlton Street in Corpus Christi will be open Friday only. The recommended bus route is Route 12.

  • Anita & W.T. Neyland Public Library at 1230 Carmel Parkway in Corpus Christi will be open Friday only. The recommended bus route is Route 37 Crosstown.

  • Janet F. Harte Public Library at 2629 Waldron Road in Corpus Christi will be open Friday only. The recommended bus route is Route 4.

  • Ethel Eyerly Senior Center at 654 Graham Road will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus route is Route 4.

  • Garden Senior Center at 5325 Greely Drive in Corpus Christi will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus route is Route 5.

  • Lindale Senior Center at 3135 Swantner Drive will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus routes are Route 17 or Route 29.

  • Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia Public Library at 5930 Bockhampton Drive in Corpus Christi will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus route is route 26.

  • Owen R. Hopkins Public Librar at 3202 McKinzie Road will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus route is Route 27.

  • La Retama Central Library at 805 Comanche Street will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus route is Route 6, Route 19 or Route 23.

  • Ben F. McDonald Public Library at 4044 Greenwood Drive will be open Friday and Saturday. The recommended bus route is Route 21 or Route 23.

Jim Wells County

  • Jim Wells County Fairgrounds at 3001 S. Johnson St. in Alice will be open overnight 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday and Friday. Those in need of transportation to the center can call Rural Economic Assistance League at 361-668-3158.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: City, county opens warming centers as arctic weather approaches