Fort Worth, other North Texas cities open warming stations for residents without power

Fort Worth and other cities across North Texas have opened warming stations and shelters to help residents without electrical power as widespread outages continued Tuesday for a second day, with more wintry precipitation expected.

The city of Fort Worth has extended the hours for the overnight shelter operating at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Anyone needing the shelter will need to self-transport to the Convention Center and enter through the Houston Street entrance, the city said in a news release. The location is 1201 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102.

COVID-19 screening will take place before people enter the building and COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Cots will be provided. People should bring their own blankets. Food will not be provided. Restrooms will be available, but there will not be facilities for showers.

Arrangements have been made to allow residents using the Fort Worth shelter and warming stations to bring their pets. Animals will be placed in a temporary container while at the stations.

Parking is the responsibility of each individual, the city said. Garages are available on Commerce and Houston Streets.

The city plans on operating the convention center shelter 24 hours a day until noon Thursday.

Fort Worth and North Texas warming stations

The city also has warming stations available for anyone who needs to have a warm place to go during the day. No snacks or cots will be available at the warming centers.

Warming stations at the following locations will operate from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday:

• Worth Heights Community Center, 3551 New York Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76110. Phone 817-392-8722.
• Handley Meadowbrook Community Center, 6201 Beaty St, Fort Worth, TX 76112. Phone 817-392-2830.
• Diamond Hill Community Center, 1701 NE 36th St, Fort Worth, TX 76106. Phone 817-392-5485.
• North Tri-Ethnic Community Center, 2950 Roosevelt Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76106. Phone 817-392-5200

• Summerglen Library, 4205 Basswood Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76137. Phone 817-392-5970

• Southwest Community Center, 6300 Welch Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76133

This is a list of city-operated facilities. For a list of other organizations and businesses offering warming stations, visit fortworthtexas.gov/closures.

Other cities in North Texas have also opened warming centers and shelters:

• The warming station at the Keller Public Library, 640 Johnson Road, remains open for those who need it.
• In Grapevine, residents can go to The Rec Center of Grapevine, 1175 Municipal Way. Call 817-410-4455 for more information.
• The Colleyville Library, 1000 Main St., opened Monday as the city’s warming center. For more information on the Colleyville center, call 817-503-1111 or 817-312-2030.
• Arlington has partnered with hotels to provide special rates for residents without power. The Salvation Army also is open as a warming center at 712 W. Abram St.
• Haltom City has a warming center in the Recreation Center at 4839 Broadway Ave.
• Dallas officials asked residents without power to call 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 for warming center locations.
• In North Richland Hills, residents should call the warming station hotline at 817-427-6001.
• Mansfield has opened two warming centers at Chris W. Burkett Service Center, 620 S. Wisteria St., and the MAC, 106 S. Wisteria St. For details call 817-728-3609 or visit the City Facebook page at facebook.com/CityMansfieldTx.
• Denton has several warming centers including the following: MLK Jr. Recreation Center, 1300 Wilson St., 940-349-8575, open through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. North Lakes Rec Center: 2001 W Windsor St., 940-349-8287, open through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. City fire stations will be open through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 110 Mockingbird Lane, 2110 E. Sherman Drive, 2230 W. Windsor Drive, 3232 Teasley Lane and 4201 Vintage Parkway. For more information, follow the city’s Twitter.

• Bedford, Hurst and HEB ISD are operating a warming center, which is expected to also serve as an overnight shelter, at Central Junior High, 3191 W. Pipeline Road in Euless. The City of Euless also has opened a warming center at the Euless Family Life Rec Center, at 300 W. Midway.

• In Irving, the Senior Park Recreation Center is open as a warming center. Residents seeking transportation can call 972-721-6448. For updates go to CityofIrving.org or visit the city’s Twitter or Facebook pages.

• A Parker County warming center will be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. at High Ridge Church at 1000 Cinema Drive in Hudson Oaks.

• Southlake’s warming center is at the DPS North Station at 100 E. Dove Road. Visit the City of Southlake Twitter page for updates.

The Rail Club Live in Fort Worth is also offering its location at 3101 Joyce Dr. for people to stay warm and there is the option to stay overnight, all they have to do is bring blankets and bedding. There is also free food and water available. People can call 817-386-4309 for more information. The location is open for people 24/7.

Tips for staying warm

These are some tips for staying warm in your home while the power is out.

• The National Weather Service advises people who lose power to close blinds and curtains to contain the heat.
• Placing towels, blankets or rags underneath doors to keep hot air from escaping though gaps can also help maintain heat.
• Try to eat and drink regularly so your body will continue producing heat, but avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Wearing layers of loose-fitting, lightweight warm clothes can help you stay warm by trapping body heat around you.
• Finally, closing doors to all rooms can help avoid wasting heat.

This story was originally published February 16, 2021 at 11:29 AM.