Editor’s note: This story will be updated regularly as more information becomes available.
In anticipation of freezing temperatures befalling the Rio Grande Valley later this week, various cities across the region have begun announcing the opening of warming shelters.
Temperatures throughout the Valley are expected to dip below freezing beginning Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
There is currently at least a 60% chance that temperatures will fall to or below 28 degrees across much of deep South Texas Friday night into Saturday morning.
Additionally, there is at least a 50% chance that temperatures will fall to or below 32 degrees across much of deep South Texas on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Here’s where you can find warming shelters:
>> ALAMO:
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD), in partnership with the American Red Cross and the cities of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo, will be opening a warming shelter at Alamo Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Located at 1819 US-83 Bus, the shelter will open at 5 p.m. and close on Saturday, Dec. 24, at noon.
The school district said breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.
Those seeking to attend are encouraged to bring their own blankets, pillows, medications and personal toiletries.
Additionally, the school district that pets are welcomed and must be on leashes.
As PSJA ISD monitors the inclement weather, they will consider opening additional school shelters based on need.
“It’s important for us as a school district to open our doors and be there for our families and community members during times of need,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias said. “We encourage anyone needing a warm and safe place to weather this Artic Blast to please not hesitate in seeking shelter at one of our locations.”
Due to technical issues with equipment, the previously reported PSJA Memorial High School will no longer serve as a warming shelter for the city. The city is asking those who planned to attend that center to instead go to the Alamo Middle School warming center.
Additionally, the city said residents can also attend the warming shelters at Pharr, Mercedes and McAllen.
>> BROWNSVILLE:
Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez announced that the city is working on preparations for the downtown Recreation Center (the former Boys & Girls club) to serve as a warming shelter.
Located at 1338 E. Eighth St., the shelter will run from 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, through midnight on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Brownsville city officials continue preparations for arctic blast
Another warming center available in Brownsville is the Ozanam Center.
Located at 656 N. Minnesota Ave., the center will be open 24/7 for the duration of the cold snap.
>> EDINBURG:
The city of Edinburg will open a warming shelter at the Dustin Sekula Memorial Library from Thursday, Dec. 22, through Saturday, Dec. 24, for all residents.
Located at 1906 S. Closner Blvd., the shelter will be open from 8 p.m. until 8 a.m.
Those planning to attend are being asked by the city to bring medication and non-perishable food/snacks. The shelter will provide electronic charging stations, cots and blankets. However, the city said no pets are allowed.
For more information, visit https://cityofedinburg.com/.
>> ESCOBARES:
The city of Escobares will be opening a warming center at Escobares Community Center.
Located at 4829 Old Hwy 83, the center will be open from Thursday, Dec. 22, through Saturday, Dec. 24.
The hours will be from 7 p.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday, then 7:30 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday.
>> HARLINGEN:
The city of Harlingen will be opening a warming shelter at the Harlingen Community Center on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Located at 201 E. Madison Ave., the shelter will be open at 6 p.m.
Those planning on attending are asked to bring food, water, prescription medication, pillows and other items.
Loaves & Fishes will also serve as another warming shelter in Harlingen.
Located at 514 South E St., the center will be open from 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, through Sunday, Dec. 25.
>> LA FERIA:
In La Feria, the La Feria Station will open at 6 p.m. Thursday.
The shelter is located at 200 E. Business 83.
>> LA GRULLA:
The city of La Grulla will be opening a warming center at the Child Advocacy Center.
Located at 381 Leopoldo Longoria Street, the center will be open from Thursday, Dec. 22, through Friday, Dec. 23.
The hours will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for both days.
>> McALLEN:
McAllen city officials announced that Las Palmas Community Center will serve as a warming shelter starting 7 p.m. Thursday.
Located at 1921 N. 25th St., the center will be open on Friday and Saturday as well.
Residents are asked to bring essential items such as non-perishable food, water, prescription medication, toiletry items, pillows and sleeping bags. A limited number of cots will be available.
Officials said no pets are allowed, except for properly documented service animals.
“We encourage everyone who needs warmth, running water and power to take advantage of this warming center for themselves and their families,” McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez said.
For more information, the center can be reached at (956) 681-3350.
Another available shelter in McAllen will be the Salvation Army shelter.
Located at 1600 N 23rd Street, the shelter will be open throughout the week and weekend as needed.
For more information, Salvation Army can be reached at (956) 682-1468.
>> MISSION:
The center, located at the Mission Parks & Recreation building, will open Thursday evening, the city announced Monday.
Located at 721 N. Bryan Road, the center will be open from 6 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday.
It will open again from 6 p.m. on Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday.
Those seeking shelter at the warming center are asked to pack a blanket, pillow, medication, personal identification, toiletry items and snacks.
The city is also recommending masks for patrons, and the shelter will also have expanded space to allow for physical distancing.
>> MERCEDES:
The city of Mercedes will open a warming shelter at the Mercedes Dome Recreation Center for Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23.
Located at 1202 N. Vermont, the shelter will open at 6 p.m. on both days. However, the city said that if no one attends the shelter before midnight, it will be disassembled.
Those planning on attending are being asked by the city to pack a blanket, pillow, medication, personal identification, toiletry items, and snacks. Face masks are recommended.
For more information, call (956) 565-3114.
>> PHARR:
In a partnership with Vanguard Academy, the city of Pharr will be opening a warming shelter at the Zeke Martinez Gym at Rembrandt Early College High School from Wednesday, Dec. 21, through Saturday, Dec. 24.
Located at 1200 E. Kelly Ave., the shelter will be open to residents from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Those planning on attending are being asked by the city to bring blankets, pillows, medications, identification, toiletry items and snacks. However, the city said no pets are allowed.
“Temperatures are expected to drop and we want everyone to remain safe, healthy, and warm,” Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said in the release. “We encourage anyone needing shelter to please make their way to the Zeke Martinez Gym at Rembrandt Early College High School to seek refuge during the evenings.”
For more information, call City Hall at (956) 402-4000.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD), in partnership with the American Red Cross and the cities of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo, will be opening two warming shelters on Thursday, Dec. 22.
The first location will be at PSJA North Early College High School, located at 500 E. Nolana Loop. The second location will be at PSJA Escalante Middle School, located at 6123 S Cage Blvd.
Both shelters will open at 5 p.m.
The school district said breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.
Those seeking to attend are encouraged to bring their own blankets, pillows, medications and personal toiletries.
Additionally, the school district that pets are welcomed and must be on leashes.
As PSJA ISD monitors the inclement weather, they will consider opening additional school shelters based on need.
“It’s important for us as a school district to open our doors and be there for our families and community members during times of need,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias said. “We encourage anyone needing a warm and safe place to weather this Artic Blast to please not hesitate in seeking shelter at one of our locations.”
>> PORT ISABEL:
The Port Isabel Police Department will serve as a warming shelter.
Located at 110 W. Hickman Ave., the center opens at 6 p.m. Thursday.
>> RAYMONDVILLE:
Willacy County officials announced there will be a warming center opening at Raymondville Community Center Thursday evening.
Located at 547 W. Hidalgo, the center will open at 8 p.m. and run until 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Those planning to attend are being asked to bring their medications, pillows, blankets and non-perishable food/snacks.
County officials also said the Willacy County Sheriff’s Lobby will be an alternative location if an additional warming center is needed.
Located at 1371 Industrial Drive, the center will apply the same guidelines and run at the same time as the Raymondville Community Center warming center.
For more information or any questions, call (956) 689-2441.
>> RIO GRANDE CITY:
The city of Rio Grande City will be opening a warming center at First Baptist Church.
Located at 1196 W. Main Street, the center will be open from Thursday, Dec. 22, through Sunday, Dec. 25.
The hours will be from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. for each day.
>> ROMA:
Starr County District Attorney Gocha Allen Ramirez announced there will be a warming center opening at the 229th DA Crime Victims Center in Roma.
Located at 1334 4th St., the center will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23.
Ramirez’s release says that those planning on attending must call or text (956) 476-8109 or (956) 476-8108 to reserve a spot prior to going.
Those who reserve a spot are being asked to bring their own medication, snacks and toiletry items. If possible, the release also says to bring blankets and pillows because there will be a limited supply available at the site.
The release stated that face masks are recommended.
>> SAN BENITO:
The city of San Benito will open a warming center at the community center.
Located at 210 E. Heywood St., the center will open Thursday, Dec. 22 and run through Sunday, Dec. 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. However, the city said days and hours of operation may change depending on the weather.
Those planning to attend are asked to bring their own blankets, pillows, food, water, toiletries, and any other necessary items, such as medications.
The city said that there will be a limited number of cots available, so visitors may bring their own small air mattresses or sleeping pads.
No pets are allowed, except for properly documented service animals.
>> SAN ISIDRO:
The city of San Isidro will be opening a warming center at Abel Gonzalez Community Center.
Located at 5101 FM 1017, the center will be open from Thursday, Dec. 22, through Saturday, Dec. 24.
The hours will be from 6 p.m. Thursday until 9 a.m. Friday, then 6 p.m. Friday until 9 a.m. Saturday.
>> SAN JUAN:
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD), in partnership with the American Red Cross and the cities of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo, will be opening a warming shelter at Yzaguirre Middle School on Thursday, Dec. 22.
Located at 605 E. Farm to Market Rd 495, the shelter will open at 5 p.m.
The school district said breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.
Those seeking to attend are encouraged to bring their own blankets, pillows, medications and personal toiletries.
Additionally, the school district that pets are welcomed and must be on leashes.
As PSJA ISD monitors the inclement weather, they will consider opening additional school shelters based on need.
“It’s important for us as a school district to open our doors and be there for our families and community members during times of need,” Interim Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Elias said. “We encourage anyone needing a warm and safe place to weather this Artic Blast to please not hesitate in seeking shelter at one of our locations.”
>> SAN PERLITA:
Willacy County officials announced there will be a warming center opening at San Perlita Community Center Thursday evening.
Located at 14085 FM 2209 North, the center will open at 8 p.m. and run until 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Those planning to attend are being asked to bring their medications, pillows, blankets and non-perishable food/snacks.
For more information or any questions, call (956) 689-2441.
Another shelter available will be the Oscar De Luna Community Center.
Located at 14085 Fm 2209 N, the shelter will open 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, and run through noon on Saturday, Dec. 24.
The shelter will also be open to surrounding areas such as Willamar, Santa Monica, and Santa Margarita.
Those planning to attend are being asked to bring their own medications, pillows, blankets and non perishable foods/snacks. There will be cots available.
For more information, contact Mayor George Guadiana at (956) 454-6240
