REST OF THE DAY. BACK TO YOU. ALL RIGHT, TAMARA. THANK YOU. SO THE CHILL SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY HAS PROMPTED SACRAMENTO COUNTY TO OPEN A RESPITE CENTER. KCRA 3’S ERIN HEFT IS JOINING US NOW FROM THE WARREN THORNTON YOUTH CENTER WITH THE DETAILS ON THAT. AND IT’S GOING TO BE A CHILLY NEXT FEW DAYS STARTING TODAY, LIKE TAMARA SAID. AND OH MY GOODNESS, A LOT OF PEOPLE COULD USE A BREAK. WHILE SACRAMENTO COUNTY HAS MADE THAT POSSIBLE, WHERE, LIKE YOU SAID, RIGHT HERE, STARTING TODAY FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WHERE ARE WE STANDING? WELL, YOU SAID IT. THE WARREN THORNTON YOUTH CENTER. IT’LL OPEN THIS AFTERNOON AT 2:00 AND REMAIN OPEN UNTIL MONDAY MORNING AT 10:00. EVERYONE PLANNING TO COME IS ENCOURAGED TO CALL 211 TO CHECK CAPACITY. THE SITE IS OPEN TO THOSE 18 YEARS OLD AND OLDER, AND ALSO PETS ARE WELCOME, THOUGH THERE ARE SOME RULES AROUND PETS. IT’S ONE PET PER PERSON OR TWO PETS PER COUPLE AS WELL AS THE ANIMALS MUST BE CRATED WHILE INSIDE AND ON LEASHES WHILE OUTSIDE IN. THE CENTER WILL PROVIDE THOSE CRATES AND LEASHES. IF YOU DON’T HAVE YOUR OWN. RESOURCES AVAILABLE INCLUDE MEALS, SLEEPING COTS, SHOWERS AND RESTROOMS, PHONES AND CHARGING STATIONS, AS WELL AS LIGHT CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. BACK OUT HERE LIVE SAC RT. ALSO SUPPORTING THIS BY ALLOWING FREE RIDE FLIERS DURING THIS TIME. JUST TO MAKE SURE THOUGH, LIKE I SAID, PLEASE CALL 211 PRIOR TO MAKING IT ALL THE WAY OUT HERE, JUST SO THAT YOU KNOW THAT THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU TO STAY WARM DURING THESE NEXT FEW VERY CRISP, VERY BITTER FEW DAYS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. ERIN HEFT KCRA THREE NEWS. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ERIN. NOW, COUNTY STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST AN
Sacramento County opens weather respite center amid prolonged cold
Updated: 10:47 AM PST Dec 11, 2025
Sacramento County is opening a weather respite center Thursday afternoon at the Warren E. Thornton Youth Center as cold, damp conditions persist across the region.In partnership with First Step Communities, the county will open the center at 4000 Branch Center Road at 2 p.m. The site will remain open continuously through 10 a.m. Dec. 15 with the possibility of extension if cold conditions continue.Officials say the prolonged weather system, marked by overnight lows, minimal daytime warming and a damp fog layer, prompted the activation to provide a safe, warm space for those in need.The respite center is open to adults ages 18 and older. Pets are welcome, with a limit of one per person or two per couple. Animals must be crated while inside the shelter and leashed while outside on the grounds. Crates, leashes, and dog or cat food will be provided for those who need them.Guests will have access to meals, including snacks, water, lunch and dinner, as well as cots for sleeping, showers and restrooms. The site will also offer phone and electronic charging stations and light case management services.Sacramento Regional Transit is supporting the activation with a free ride flyer for those traveling to the respite center. County officials urge anyone planning to use the shelter to call 211 first to confirm there is available capacity before making the trip.County staff will continue to monitor the weather forecast and say they are prepared to extend the respite center’s operating days and hours if conditions warrant.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento County is opening a weather respite center Thursday afternoon at the Warren E. Thornton Youth Center as cold, damp conditions persist across the region.
In partnership with First Step Communities, the county will open the center at 4000 Branch Center Road at 2 p.m. The site will remain open continuously through 10 a.m. Dec. 15 with the possibility of extension if cold conditions continue.
Officials say the prolonged weather system, marked by overnight lows, minimal daytime warming and a damp fog layer, prompted the activation to provide a safe, warm space for those in need.
The respite center is open to adults ages 18 and older. Pets are welcome, with a limit of one per person or two per couple. Animals must be crated while inside the shelter and leashed while outside on the grounds. Crates, leashes, and dog or cat food will be provided for those who need them.
Guests will have access to meals, including snacks, water, lunch and dinner, as well as cots for sleeping, showers and restrooms. The site will also offer phone and electronic charging stations and light case management services.
Sacramento Regional Transit is supporting the activation with a free ride flyer for those traveling to the respite center. County officials urge anyone planning to use the shelter to call 211 first to confirm there is available capacity before making the trip.
County staff will continue to monitor the weather forecast and say they are prepared to extend the respite center’s operating days and hours if conditions warrant.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel