Winter weather emergency shelter available this week in OKC

Last Updated on December 22, 2022, 10:43 AM | Published: December 21, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY — As we all know, Oklahoma weather can be extreme and surprising. This winter will be no different. As dangerously cold weather begins to arrive in our region, attention must turn to the vulnerable in our community.

The City of Oklahoma has worked with some shelter directors across the city to create this year’s contingency overflow beds on nights with extreme weather.

Each are opening overflow space on certain nights as necessary.

Emergency shelter is available on nights when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees at three shelters. 

On nights when the weather is expected to be below freezing with precipitation, or if the temperatures are predicted to drop to 20 or lower, the Homeless Alliance will open their Day Center with space for 80-100 overnight guests.

This week will see some extreme cold, and shelter will be necessary to save lives. Here are the places, clientele, and bus routes that serve those sites:

• City Care Night Shelter (532 N Villa); 20 men; Bus Routes 08, 07, 038, 09; 6 p.m. – 7 a.m.
• Salvation Army (1001 N Pennsylvania); 50 women and children; Bus Routes 08, 07, 038; 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• City Rescue Mission (800 W California); 50 men, all women and children; Bus Route 012; 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• Homeless Alliance (1724 NW 4th); 80, all are welcome; Bus Routes 08, 07, 038, 09); 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.

Additionally, the Day Shelter at Homeless Alliance will be open during the day over the coming weekend as a warming center.

=> Identification is NOT REQUIRED at any of the emergency shelter sites.

Special temporary bus routes

Currently EMBARK is assisting with transportation to shelter sites. BUS DRIVERS SHOULD NOT CHARGE FOR THE RIDE TO A SHELTER IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT.

Twice daily, a full size EMBARK bus makes two trips as a shuttle between the Homeless Alliance and Joe’s Addiction (a site assisting people experiencing homelessness in southeast Oklahoma City) and stopping at the various shelter sites. 

Homeless Alliance received funding to place an employee on the bus to help clientele navigate their way to appropriate shelter, as well as evening out the numbers of people going to each one.

Forecasted severe weather

The National Weather Service has forecast extreme cold throughout the remainder of the week. 

• Wednesday night the low is expected to reach 11 degrees with possible rain turning to snow. 
• Thursday sees a chance of snow and temperatures dropping to 4 degrees by noon. 
• Thursday night may see wind chills as low as -15 with strong winds.
• The weather looks to be severe through Christmas Day. 

Many people will be taking advantage of the Day Center being open on Saturday and Sunday. 

All are welcome there, and if the electrical grid sees typical failures, more people may need to take advantage of that space.

All shelters will have staff working while open, and that means a lot of people sharing the holiday with a different sort of group than the traditional nuclear family.

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