To help residents stay safe, the City of Corpus Christi will open an Overnight Warming Shelter at the FEMA Dome at Del Mar College’s Windward Campus 5pm Saturday.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — City officials are preparing for the coldest temperatures of the season as a strong cold front moves into the Coastal Bend this weekend, prompting the opening of an overnight warming shelter and expanded safety measures across Corpus Christi.
The National Weather Service is forecasting overnight lows dropping below 40 degrees, with wind chills late Saturday night into Sunday morning making it feel closer to 32 degrees. Those conditions are expected to last for approximately four hours.
In anticipation of the cold, the City of Corpus Christi will open an overnight warming shelter at the FEMA Dome at Del Mar College’s Windward Campus, located at 4101 Old Brownsville Road. The shelter will be open from 5:00 p.m. Saturday until 9:00 a.m. Sunday and is intended to provide a warm, safe place for residents who may be vulnerable to the overnight temperatures.
To help residents reach the shelter, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority will provide free transportation from the Staples Street Station beginning at 5:00 p.m. Saturday through 10:00 p.m. Return transportation from the shelter back to the Staples Street Station will begin at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
As part of the city’s cold weather response, Corpus Christi Police Department officers will monitor individuals they encounter during patrols to determine whether assistance is needed.
This may include offering transportation to the warming shelter or providing blankets. City officials also say they are in communication with the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission and Mother Teresa Shelter, both of which currently report having sufficient capacity. The city will continue coordinating with those organizations in case additional needs arise.
Officials are also reminding residents to take precautions to protect pets during the cold snap. Corpus Christi Animal Care Services urges pet owners to bring animals indoors whenever possible. If pets must remain outside, owners should provide a covered, weatherproof shelter elevated off the ground, position the entrance away from the wind, supply blankets or towels for warmth, and ensure fresh food and water are always available.
The City of Corpus Christi says it will continue to monitor weather conditions and maintain communication with service providers throughout the weekend. Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors, especially the elderly and those without adequate heating, as temperatures drop.