Warming Centers Open Throughout Santa Clara County in Response to Frost Advisory

Community members are encouraged to take precautions against hypothermia and to seek out shelter at the nearest warming centers and overnight warming locations

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – Warming centers are open throughout Santa Clara County as the National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for Santa Clara Valley from Thursday, Nov. 10 through Friday, Nov. 11. A cold airmass will settle into the area today as low pressure moves out and overnight temperatures are expected to dip into the low to mid 30s. Light winds and clear skies will lead to frost and freeze conditions.

We encourage community members, especially people experiencing homelessness, to take precautions against hypothermia and to seek out warming centers.

“Our outreach workers and community partners have been visiting encampments to distribute blankets, ponchos, handwarmers and beanies, as well as information about other resources to our unsheltered community members since Monday,” said Kathryn Kaminski, Deputy Director of the Office of Supportive Housing. “We encourage anyone experiencing homelessness to call our Here 4 You Call Center at (408) 385-2400 to locate a location near them for refuge from the temperatures.”

Valley Transportation Authority is offering free bus rides to warming centers. Community members will need to let the bus drivers know which locations they are going to or coming back from. No proof required.

Community members are encouraged to go to their nearest warming center listed below. For a complete list, please visit www.PrepareSCC.org/ColdWeather.

 

Cupertino Library

10800 Torre Ave.

Cupertino, CA

Hours of Operation:

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Thursday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 - Sunday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Gilroy Library

350 W. 6th St.,

Gilroy, CA

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 13 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

 

Los Altos Library

13 S. San Antonio Road

Los Altos, CA

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Thursday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 13 CLOSED

 

Los Gatos Public Library

100 Villa Ave

Los Gatos, CA

Hours of Operation

Monday, Nov. 7 – Sunday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

Milpitas Library

160 N. Main St.

Milpitas, CA

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Thursday, Nov 10 from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 - Sunday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

 

Morgan Hill Library

660 W. Main Ave.

Morgan Hill, CA

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 11 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Saratoga Library

13650 Saratoga Ave.

Saratoga, CA

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Thursday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 - Sunday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 

Woodland Library

1975 Grant Road

Los Altos, CA

Hours of Operation

Tuesday, Nov. 8 - Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11 CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY

Saturday, Nov. 12 - Sunday, Nov 13 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

The Office of Emergency Management urges community members to sign up for AlertSCC, make an emergency plan, build an emergency supply kit, and help family, friends and neighbors prepare for cold temperatures.

Cold Weather Safety Tips

• Do NOT burn charcoal or other flammable materials in an enclosed space to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Drive slowly and be on the lookout for hazardous travel with slick road conditions including possible ponding on roads and freeway off-ramps and minor flooding in low-lying or poor drainage areas.
• Unsheltered community members, older adults, children and those with access and functional needs should seek shelter now as they are at higher risks of hypothermia.
• Avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, or for extended periods of time in extreme cold weather.
• Dress in layers, wear a hat, scarf, gloves and mittens, and waterproof, insulated boots to avoid hypothermia or frostbite.
• Get out of wet clothes as soon as possible to reduce the risk of hypothermia.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water with electrolytes.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and non-prescription medication if you will be staying outside as it may lead to death or serious injury.
• Seek medical attention immediately and call 9-1-1 if you see someone experiencing hypothermia.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a medical emergency that happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Normal body temperature is about 98.6 F, and hypothermia occurs when your body temperature drops below 95 F.

People who are 65 and older or very young children are at a higher risk of hypothermia. Alcohol, drug use, and medications can also increase the risk of hypothermia. Left untreated, hypothermia limits your nervous system from working correctly. It can cause a complete failure of your heart, respiratory system, and can be fatal.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Exhaustion
• Severe shivering
• Clumsiness and lack of coordination
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Weak pulse
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Progressive loss of consciousness

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ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

The Office of Emergency Management is responsible for supporting first responders including fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical services in emergencies and disasters. We are also responsible for facilitating the coordination of resources from Local and State partners, community based organizations, and faith based organizations to provide community members with relief and supplies in an emergency or disaster. Our mission is to safeguard lives, property, and the environment through strategic coordination of cross‐functional operations during preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of emergency management. Improving the governmental, economic, and operational efficiency and resiliency of the County of Santa Clara and the entire Operational Area (Op Area). To learn more about the Office of Emergency Management, please visit www.PrepareSCC.org.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

The County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing’s (OSH) mission is to increase the supply of housing and supportive housing that is affordable and available to extremely low income and/or special needs households. OSH supports the County mission of promoting a healthy, safe, and prosperous community by ending and preventing homelessness. During emergencies and disasters, OSH mobilizes and supports service providers and outreach workers to make extra visits to encampments to distribute water and provide information for services.  OSH works closely with the Office of Emergency Management to ensure coordination of resources and communication while serving vulnerable populations in our community.  For more information about the Office of Supportive Housing, please visit https://osh.sccgov.org/home.