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County News Center | Office of Communications and Public Affairs
County News Center | Office of Communications and Public Affairs

County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing Extends Inclement Weather Episode Through Monday Morning, February 11

February 7, 2019

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. - The Office of Supportive Housing is extending Inclement Weather Episode #4 for the entire County through Monday morning, February 11. The National Weather Service is predicting rain and cold temperatures for the weekend, with a cold storm forecast for Sunday.

The rain, along with cold temperatures, puts many people, especially older adults, at risk for hypothermia, which is caused by dangerously low body temperature. All residents are encouraged to use available shelters and warming centers, as well as take appropriate actions to ensure their safety and well-being during these rainy, cold days and nights. 

For Homeless Persons

During winter months, cold weather and regular shelters operate daily in East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Gilroy. When an Inclement Weather Episode occurs, additional shelter beds, as well as daytime and overnight warming centers, are available for the increased number of people who require respite from the cold and rain.

  1. Daytime warming centers are located in libraries, community and senior centers throughout the County.
  2. Overnight warming locations operated by HomeFirst in the City of San Jose are listed below. Families needing shelter can call 408-515-6886 for assistance.
    1. Bascom Community Center, 1000 South Bascom Avenue, San José, CA 95128
    2. Leininger Community Center, 1300 Senter Road, San José, CA 95112
    3. Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E Santa Clara Street, San José, CA 95116
  3. Expanded shelter services available throughout the County.

For a printable PDF of warming centers and shelters click here: http://bit.ly/WarmCenters1-2-2019. For more information on shelter locations, visit the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing.

For Older Adults

People 65 years of age and older should frequently check the temperature in the home during severely cold weather and adjust the thermostat to maintain a comfortable body temperature. If that is not possible, they may choose to stay with family or friends, or maintain warmth with extra blankets and sleeping bags, by drinking warm beverages and avoiding alcohol, or wearing a hat and scarf and extra clothes.

For persons 65 or older, have someone check in regularly, especially during cold weather. Friends, family and neighbors of older adults should check in frequently to make sure that their homes are adequately heated and that they are safe. For cold weather safety tips in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese, visit: http://bit.ly/coldweathersafe.

Available hotlines to direct people to services:

Call 2-1-1: for health and human services in Santa Clara County;

Homeless Helpline (not San Jose): Call the County Office of Supportive Housing at (408) 793-0550 to ask for assistance or report a homeless person in need in Santa Clara County;

HomeFirst Homeless Helpline: Call (408) 510-7600 or e-mail the HomeFirst Helpline at [email protected]. HomeFirst’s Outreach team provides access to emergency shelter, showers, laundry, meals, medical services, case management, employment training, and more. 

Homeless individuals can register to receive text messages about services as follows:

  • Simply address a text message to: 888777
  • Type BADWEATHER in the message
  • Send the message

ABOUT INCLEMENT WEATHER EPISODES

During extreme cold temperatures, the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing activates the Inclement Weather Plan, which supplements the regular, ongoing cold weather shelter program.

The current trigger conditions are as follows:

  • There is a forecasted overnight low of 40 degrees or lower with a probability of rain of less than 50%;
  • There is a forecasted overnight low of 45 degrees or lower with a probability of rain of 50% or greater, or
  • There is a forecasted period of rain for 48 hours or more likely to result in flooding.

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ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA 

The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the sixth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and 20,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection, medical and preventative services through Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System, child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, parks, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.

 

Media Contact:  Michelle Covert, Office of Supportive Housing, (408) 878-5298; Patty Eaton, Office of Emergency Services, (408) 386-3055.​