UPDATE-Overnight Cold Weather Refuge Center Continues to Provide Shelter from Dangerous Weather Conditions

January 21, 2025

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX—The National Weather Service reports a wintry mix of freezing rain/drizzle, sleet, and snow has been observed across South Texas. Due to the hazardous driving conditions, non-essential City employees will not report to work today. City operations will resume tomorrow with regular business hours.

All City daytime warming centers will be closed today due to inclement weather; however, the City’s overnight Cold Weather Refuge Center continues to operate at the Corpus Christi Gym at 3203 Cabaniss Parkway and will provide a warming center option throughout the day.

Due to the prolonged cold temperatures and out of an abundance of caution, the City of Corpus Christi opened the Cold Weather Refuge Center on Sunday, January 19, for those needing food and a warm place to stay. Since opening, 125 people have used the Center to protect themselves from the overnight cold, with the City providing meals and The Salvation Army providing snacks and drinks.

The Center is not set up to be a long-term shelter, the City planned in conjunction with the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, Mother Teresa Shelter and Dismas Charities, to provide people staying at the Center with access to showers, hygiene and clothing services. Those services are currently available.

The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) continues providing free transportation to and from the refuge and warming centers from 12:00 p.m. Tuesday through 11:00 p.m. Riders can go to any bus stop where the CCRTA will take them to the Staples Street Station across from City Hall. A shuttle will transport them to the front door of the Cold Weather Refuge Center from there. In addition, the CCRTA is providing a shuttle service from the Carroll High School bus stop at the Saratoga and Kostoryz intersection to transport riders to the front door of the Center. This shuttle service will continue until 11:00 p.m.  Riders using the CCRTA service can bring their pets as long as they are secured. For more information, go to https://www.ccrta.org.

The Corpus Christi Police Department (CCPD) will also provide transportation to daytime warming centers, the cold weather refuge center, or homeless shelters. To arrange transport, call CCPD Non-Emergency Police at (361) 886-2600.

The City’s Emergency Response Team has been planning for this cold weather event since  Monday, January 13, and will continue to monitor and provide service until the “feel-like” temperature exceeds 32 degrees.

Per City Ordinance, pets must be brought indoors if the “feel-like” temperature falls below 32 degrees.

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services will have Animal Care Officers on patrol to respond to calls on pets without shelter.  

  • Officers will educate owners about cold weather and proper care of their pets.
  • If needed, ACS will take the appropriate action for pets under challenging circumstances where their well-being is jeopardized.
  • During regular business hours, call the Customer Call Center at 3-1-1 to place a call for service for an officer to respond to a pet in need. After hours, call CCPD Non-Emergency Police at (361) 886-2600.  

Here is more information on preparing for colder temperatures.

You can also find updates on the City's website, www.corpuschristitx.gov, and on social media channels: Facebook @citygov or @ReadyCC, LinkedIn @City of Corpus Christi, and X @cityofcc. You can also contact the Customer Call Center by dialing 3-1-1 or using the free mobile app. Monitor these channels for updates regarding any delayed business hours or closures.

For more information, media representatives can contact Public Information Manager Robert Gonzales at 361-826-3233 or  robertg8@cctexas.com.