WACO, Texas — Temperatures are dropping into single digits on Tuesday morning, a cold that can be deadly for those without power. If it is an absolute emergency, warming stations are open. Please be cautious of the roadways and dial 911 for life threatening emergencies.
Text us at (254) 859-5481 if you know of any warming stations in the area we can add to the list.
Several cities are also offering rides to warming centers as needed. Temple Residents can call 254-298-5550 for a ride to warming centers. Waco Transit System is providing rides until 6 p.m. today if needed. Please call 254-405-4247 and they will make arrangements to pick you up safely. The city of Killeen does not have a number for rides and only have two warming centers -- but if you are in dire need for a ride to warmth in Killeen you can call the police department for assistance 254-501-8830.
Different warming stations in the Central Texas area listed by city can be found below:
Killeen
- Skyline Baptist Church, 906 Trimmier Rd.
- Liberty Christian Center at 4107 Westcliff Road is also open as a warming station
Waco
- Waco-Multipurpose Center at 1020 Elm Ave. The city said people may stay overnight if needed, COVID-19 restrictions will be in place and masks are required. Please bring your own snacks, blankets and warm clothes as needed.
- South Waco Community Center at 2815 Speight. The city said people may stay overnight if needed, COVID-19 restrictions will be in place and masks are required. Please bring your own snacks, blankets and warm clothes as needed.
- Highland Baptist Church at 3014 Maple Ave. The city said people may stay overnight if needed, COVID-19 restrictions will be in place and masks are required. Please bring your own snacks, blankets and warm clothes as needed.
- Dewey Community Center at 925 N. 9th St. The city said people may stay overnight if needed, COVID-19 restrictions will be in place and masks are required. Please bring your own snacks, blankets and warm clothes as needed.
- The Salvation Army Community Kitchen and Shelters located at 300 Webster Avenue will have a warming center and extra shelter beds and other services until the cold spell in our area is over, according to the Salvation Army. Any day that the temperatures are below 40 degrees, The Salvation Army Community Kitchen will remain open outside of the usual meal hours for use as a warming center. In addition, additional beds (cots) will be made available for those seeking a warm and safe place to sleep. Snacks, warm beverages and cold weather items (hats, gloves, etc) are also made available. Breakfast daily at 7 a.m. (8 a.m. on Sundays), dinner nightly at 5:30 p.m., lunch on Mondays & Tuesdays at noon (and as needed during the cold season). Volunteers, especially Baylor University Service Organizations, assist daily with meal service and staff manages the shelter/kitchen/warming center, according to the Salvation Army.
- Mission Waco/My Brother's Keeper at the Meyer Center 1226 Washington and Salvation Army at 24 S. 4th St. will serve as a warming station, according to The Central Texas VA Healthcare System Facebook Page. Homeless Veterans who need assistance can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-Vet (1-877-424-3838) or the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System at 1-800-423-2111, Ext. 41253. You can also visit the VA website.
TRANSPORTATION TO WARMING CENTERS
Waco Transit System is providing rides to warming centers for those in need. Please call (254) 405-4247 and they will make arrangements to pick you up safely. Available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (warming centers only, please).
Temple
- Victory Ministries at 305 S. 18St. and Transformation Station at 503 E. Central Avenue will serve as warming stations, according to The Central Texas VA Healthcare System Facebook Page. Homeless Veterans who need assistance can call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-Vet (1-877-424-3838) or the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System at 1-800-423-2111, Ext. 41253. You can also visit the VA website.
- Until further notice, Impact Temple’s warming shelter is open 24/7 for anyone who needs a place to shelter from the cold weather, according to the Impact Temple Facebook Page. Impact Temple is located at 306 E Adams Ave. They ask that you bring your own bedding and snacks. They are accepting monetary donations to help gather supplies on their website.
- First United Methodist Church, 102 N. Second St., will be opening as a warming shelter at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
- St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1018 S 7th St.
- Pets are accepted, must be secured in a kennel or on a leash.
- St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 2807 Oakdale Dr.
- Immanuel Baptist Church, 1401 W. Central Ave. – Opens at 2 p.m.
- Pets are accepted, must be secured in a kennel or on a leash.
- Salvation Army, 419 W. Ave.
- Bring extra clothing, food and water, bedding and medication. Pets will only be accepted at noted facilities. Shelter space is limited and should be used by those with immediate needs.
All Central Texas Food Bank food distributions scheduled for Wednesday, February 17, have been canceled due to weather and road conditions. The Food Bank will be closed as wellThe cancelations include the Mobile Food Pantries scheduled for:
· Cameron, TX – Wednesday, February 17
· Mexia, TX – Wednesday, February 17
· LBJ High School, Austin, TX – Wednesday, February 17
Copperas Cove
- The Copperas Cove Civic Center, located at 1206 W. Ave. B, is opening as a warming center to provide temporary relief to those who may need it, according to the city. It will remain open Sunday starting at 6 p.m. until it is "no longer necessary."
- Those who visit the center are encouraged to bring:
- Change of Clothing
- Bedding
- Toiletries
- Food/Drink
- Medications
- Entertainment Items, such as Books, Games, etc.
- Any other necessities
- Those who visit the center are encouraged to bring:
- The established temporary Warming Center will remain open at the Public Library, located at 501 S. Main Street, until further notice.
The Copperas Cove Warming Center has been moved back to the Copperas Cove Civic Center, located at 1206 W Avenue B, where it will remain open to serve any citizens seeking warmth. All citizens that were present were safely relocated from Halstead Elementary to the Civic Center with assistance from Copperas Cove PD.
TRANSPORTATION TO WARMING CENTERS
The city said those in need of transportation to a warming center may call Copperas Cove PD at (254) 547-8222 opt. 0 and ask for assistance. Officers will assist as they are able to help get residents to the warming centers.
Marlin
- The Marlin ISD Junior High gymnasium has been made available as a warming center as needed. Please call Marlin PD if you are in need of assistance for warmth or shelter at 254-883-9255.
West
The City of West has coordinated with St. Mary's Catholic School to use their Gymnasium as a warming shelter. Anyone in need of this shelter can make their way to the Gym and use the southwest entrance that is in the drive between the church and school, a Facebook post from the City of West Police Department said.
There will be staff to include, Fire, Police and EMS, making rounds continually. The shelter will open at 6 p.m. Monday. You will be required to wear a mask and practice 6-foot social distancing, the post said.
Anyone coming to the shelter is asked to bring their own supply of food and drinks. Any snacks or drinks that may be available will be limited. You may want to bring your own source of entertainment such as games or books. There will be some available there, the post said.
McGregor
McGregor High School is now open as a Warming Center. Gym doors are open from 5 p.m. Monday until 8 a.m. Tuesday. Bring food/drink and bedding. Microwaves and vending machines are available. COVID-19 protocols are in place-you must wear a mask and stay in family groups, according to the McGregor ISD Facebook page.
Belton
- The First United Methodist Church will open as a warming station if needed, according to its Facebook page. If you have no power and need a place to go, call 254-415-5802.
- Belton ISD will be open North Belton Middle School (entrance in the back) and Belton Middle School (entrance from Cafeteria/Gym Parking lot) to serve as a place to get out of the cold and charge devices. These warming stations will be open from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday. At this time, it as not an overnight location and can not accommodate your family pets.
Salado
- Barrow Brewing Company, 108 Royal St. in Salado, said it is open Feb. 16 for those looking for a warm place and a place to charge devices. The brewing company said it will offer free hot chocolate and coffee, but will not serve alcohol.
- The Village of Salado has opened a warming center at the Salado Civic Center located at 601 N. Main Street. The center will be open as long as there is a demand. Guests must wear masks and social distance. Pets are discouraged. There is no food or bedding available.
- United Methodist Church located at 650 Royal St
- Church of Christ, Activates Center located at 225 N. Church St.
Harker Heights
A warming station will open at the Harker Heights Recreation Center 307 Millers Crossing. Please bring your blankets.
Fort Hood
Fort Hood Soldiers and their families who live off post that are in dire need of a place to warm up can visit the Community Event Center on Fort Hood, starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The warming center will be open 24-hours-a-day until further notice with an occupancy capacity of 125 due to COVID-19 safety considerations, a release from Fort Hood said.
Soldiers and their families will be able to charge phones and laptops, receive snacks and hot beverages courtesy of the Red Cross and USO, do arts and crafts and watch movies while staying in a warm environment for a few hours. Unfortunately, this shelter does not have sleeping accommodations, the release said.
Leon County
Leon county has opened warming centers in Buffalo and Centerville. These are warming centers only. Please understand that these are for people with no power or heat. No food or beds are available. You must provide your own bed and blanket and enough snacks and water for 2 to 3 days.
The Buffalo centers are located at the Leon county senior center behind the community center, the new city hall civic center, and the lower junior high school gymnasium. The Centerville location is at the Leon County senior center on Lassiter Street in Centerville.
McGregor/Hewitt/Woodway/Robinson - open businesses
- IGA - Hewitt
- Dollar General - Hewitt
- Walgreens - Woodway
- HEB - Woodway
- Slow Rise Slice House
- Di Campli's
- Chuy's To-Go
- Mexicano Grille To-Go
- Abuelita's - Waco Dr.
- Luigi's - McGregor
- Bubba's 22 (until 2 p.m.)
- Brookshires - Robinson
- Sonic - Robinson
- Bushs - Robinson
- Dairy Queen - Robinson
- Subway - Robinson