If electricity goes out in Port Aransas because of the cold front blasting through South Texas this weekend, a warming center could be established at First Baptist Church, here in town.
That was the word at a meeting that city officials held on Friday (Jan. 23). William Campbell, the church pastor, confirmed today (Saturday) that the church will be “available if needed.”
A Port Aransas Animal Shelter representative indicated that he doesn’t expect problems keeping the shelter animals warm even if the power goes out.
“That building holds the heat very well,” said Aaron Warner, an animal control officer. “I don’t see an issue there, even if we do lose power. … We’ll have extra blankets.”
Propane-powered heaters also will be available to warm up the shelter, said James Stokes, chief of the Port Aransas Police Department, which oversees the animal shelter. The heaters can be turned on and off as conditions warrant, and carbon monoxide detectors will keep shelter occupants safe, Stokes said.
City Manager David Parsons checked in with a variety of department heads during Friday’s meeting, and all said their departments were ready or the weather. That included Port Aransas police, EMS and fire department employees.