CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — UPDATE: As of 11 a.m. Tuesday the City of Corpus Christi's short-term shelter reached capacity. They are no longer accepting new guests.
The City of Corpus Christi's short-term shelter for the homeless -- part of a partnership with the American Red Cross, Mother Teresa Shelter, and the Gulf Coast Humane Society -- experienced a power outage Monday forcing the City to transport all of the patrons to a new location.
The short-term shelter was set up in the Convention Center Exhibit Hall B at the American Bank Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Boulevard. It opened its doors at 4 p.m. Saturday and the plan was to remain open through this extreme cold weather event.
However, on Monday a power outage forced the City to change locations. The Corpus Christi Fire Department along with the Parks & Recreation Department transported patrons by City van to the FEMA Dome located at Del Mar College's West Campus.
The FEMA Dome is located at 4244 Old Brownsville Road.
City officials are expecting it to be a full house with about 130 people who are looking for a warm place to sleep during what is shaping up to be another bone chilling night.
3News was there as people arrived to awaiting cots and blankets already set up for them.
City officials said the reason for the switch in location is that the FEMA dome is actually better set up to serve as an emergency shelter during extreme weather events like this one.
The temporary shelter that was first set up at the American Bank Center on Saturday, we're told took a couple of power hits when the ice storm came in Sunday night into Monday morning.
Organizers thought it would be best to switch to another spot that has backup generators in case of any future power outages.
"To keep the residents safe and to ensure during this extreme weather conditions, they are kept in a warm environment. while they are in the shelter, they are receiving 3 meals a day and assurance they are in a safe and warm place," said Lisa Oliver, interim assistant director Parks and Recreation.
The plan is to have the temporary shelter open through Wednesday, but it all depends on the weather.
The shelter can accommodate up to 150 patrons. Temperature checks will be administered upon entry and social distancing and mask wearing will be enforced as per the Center for Disease Control's COVID-19 protocols.
- The short-term shelter can accommodate men, women, and families. Residents will undergo a temperature check upon entry.
- Social distancing will be enforced, masks will be provided and must always be worn.
- Meals and water will be provided onsite as well.
- Pets are not allowed but volunteers are on-call to transport pets to be kenneled at the Gulf Coast Humane Society until they can be reunited with their owners.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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