SOURCE: City of Corpus Christi

The National Weather Service forecasts a strong cold front will push through the area this afternoon, bringing frigid temperatures. Temperatures will drop into the 20s and 30s by late evening. Strong northerly winds of 20 to 30 mph will accompany the front, with gusts to 45 mph possible along the coast. This will lead to dangerous wind chill values in the single digits and teens.

Hard freeze conditions are expected Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, with low temperatures in the 20s for most of the area. High temperatures on Friday will be in the 30s.

Freezing precipitation is not expected at this time.

The City has measures in place to ensure proper and safe City services in public safety, transportation, water, homelessness, and animal care. Residents are urged to take this time to protect people, property, and pets.

Warming Centers:

City staff is conducting outreach Thursday and Friday, handing out blankets, socks, hats, and information on where the homeless can find shelter.

The City will offer daytime warming centers in each City Council district that are free and open to the public. City warming centers are not a place to sleep or eat. Only service animals are permitted, and no food will be provided.

There will be 14 warming centers available Friday, with 7 open on Saturday.

The warming center's hours of operation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Oveal Williams Senior Center 1414 Martin Luther King Dr 826-2305

(Open Friday)

Northwest Senior Center 9725 Up River Rd 826-2320

(Open Friday)

Zavala Senior Center 515 Osage St 826-3099

(Open Friday)

Greenwood Senior Center 4040 Greenwood Dr 826-1368

(Open Friday)

Broadmoor Senior Center 1651 Tarlton St 826-3138

(Open Friday)

Anita & W.T. Neyland Library 1230 Carmel Pkwy 826-2370

(Open Friday)

Janet F. Harte Library 2629 Waldron 826-2310

(Open Friday)

Ethel Eyerly Senior Center 654 Graham Rd 826-2330

(Open Friday and Saturday)

Garden Senior Center 5325 Greely Dr 826-2345

(Open Friday and Saturday)

Lindale Senior Center 3135 Swantner Dr 826-2340

(Open Friday and Saturday)

Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia Library 5930 Brockhampton Dr 826-2360

(Open Friday and Saturday)

Owen R. Hopkins Library 3202 McKinzie Rd 826-2350

(Open Friday and Saturday)

La Retama Library 805 Comanche St 826-7055

(Open Friday and Saturday

Ben F. McDonald Library 4044 Greenwood Dr 826-2356

(Open Friday and Saturday)

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority will provide free transportation to and from the warming center during available hours. For more information, go to https://www.ccrta.org.

Homeless Shelters:

The City is working with homeless agencies to ensure shelter, meals, and blankets are provided for those in need.

The Salvation Army will increase capacity for an additional 100 people by opening the reception area and chapel at 1804 Buford Street for the homeless. Those in need can stay at the facility beginning Thursday afternoon through Monday morning. HEB Foods has donated $1,000 to offset expenses.

The Salvation Army is collecting sleeping bags and food at this time. Please call 361-884-9497 to donate.

The Gulf Coast Humane Society is donating its services by hosting the pets of homeless persons as needed.

Animal Care Services:

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services will have animal care officers on standby to respond to calls of animals without shelter.

Officers will be educating owners about the cold and proper care of their pets
If needed, ACS will take the appropriate action for pets found in difficult circumstances where their well-being is in jeopardy
On Friday, December 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call the Customer Call Center at 311 to place a call for service for an officer to respond to a pet in need. Saturday, Sunday, Monday and after hours, call the police department's non-emergency number at 361-886-2600

Fire Department:

The Corpus Christi Fire Department urges residents to be careful when heating their homes.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions on using alternate heating devices safely, and take time to prepare and inspect the heating equipment before using it
Exercise extreme caution when using space heaters, kitchen stoves, firepits or generators to warm homes
Never use charcoal grills or other fuel-burning devices indoors since they produce carbon monoxide and can cause uncontrolled structure fires
Keep a close eye on children and pets whenever a space heater is used
Always turn heaters off when leaving home

Police Department:

The Corpus Christi Police Department will provide transportation to warming centers or homeless shelters. Contact the police non-emergency number at 361-886-2600 to arrange transportation.

AEP Texas:

To report hazards or general calls: 1-877-373-4858

To report outages: 1-866-223-8508

Corpus Christi Water:

CCW is taking necessary precautions to ensure water services are not impacted due to cold weather. With freezing conditions expected, Corpus Christi Water recommends the following tips to protect pipes, plants, and property.

Indoors:

Wrap all exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home with newspaper, insulation, or towels
Remove the garden hose from outside faucets. Insulate outside faucets with a Styrofoam cover, rags, or paper
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate below the sinks
Dripping pipes is NOT recommended unless you cannot wrap your pipes sufficiently or you do not have sufficient heat in your home to protect your plumbing system
If your home loses power, is not well-insulated, or heating becomes unavailable, allowing one internal faucet to drip slowly during the coldest temperatures may protect your plumbing system

Outdoors:

Cover vents around the foundation of your home
Shut off irrigation systems. Water runoff from irrigation systems can travel onto the street and freeze, creating hazardous conditions for drivers
Know where the water cut-off valve is located and how to use it. Applying oil such as WD-40 to the cut-off valve before operating can prevent the valve from breaking
Mulch or cover outdoor plants with straw, blankets, or cardboard
To prevent heat loss from plant containers, push outdoor pots together and wrap the bases with a blanket
Don't worry if plant leaves wilt; they protect themselves against the cold by dehydrating themselves. Given time, most will perk back up
If you see damage from frost in your plants (black or purple flaccid leaves or stems), particularly on woody perennials, wait until the spring to prune not to shear off healthy tissue

Planning to be away from home:

Turn the water off at the property owner's cut-off valve
Set the thermostat inside to a temperature warmer than 55ºF
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate below the sinks
Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing

Gas Service:

The City has an ample supply of natural gas for the winter season. City gas customers who need assistance with lighting heater or furnace pilot lights can contact the City Call Center at 311.

Solid Waste:

There are no interruptions in service or curbside pickup
The J.C. Elliott Transfer Station and Cefe Valenzuela Landfill will be open during regular business hours

Corps Christi International Airport:

The Corpus Christi International Airport (CCIA) reminds travelers to monitor their flight status and prepare for possible delays. CCIA will post flight delays and cancellations on their website's flight information screen at www.flyccia.com. It is highly recommended to download the app for your respective airline to receive the most current and up-to-date flight status and to easily rebook a flight without having to come to the airport or wait on hold.

Stay up to date; visit www.cctexas.com/weather for more information. You also can find updates on city social media channels, Facebook @citygov and Twitter @cityofcc , or call the Customer Call Center at 311.

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