Bexar County Closes Five Warming Shelters at Noon Monday as Arctic Blast Eases Regionwide
Shelter operations scaled down as temperatures begin rising after days of ice and hard-freeze conditions
Bexar County officials closed all five county-run warming shelters at noon Monday, Jan. 26, ending a short-term network activated for an Arctic outbreak that brought freezing rain, icy roads, and dangerous wind chills to the San Antonio area over the weekend. The closures came as the most disruptive winter precipitation moved out of South Texas and daytime temperatures began trending upward.
The county’s warming shelters had been open since Saturday morning, Jan. 24. During the activation, the sites recorded a peak use of 19 people and one dog. The locations provided basic cold-weather support, including snacks, bottled water, blankets, and cots, and offered information on additional shelter resources and transportation options for residents seeking services beyond the warming-shelter window.
County outreach teams also distributed more than 100 winter weather kits to people experiencing homelessness in unincorporated and suburban parts of Bexar County during the cold event, county officials said.
Cold-weather impacts persisted even as shelters closed
Although the broader winter blast began to taper off Monday, forecasters warned that nighttime conditions remained hazardous. Temperatures were expected to dip into the teens overnight, raising concerns about refreezing on untreated surfaces and continued risk to people without reliable heat.
Roadway mitigation continued throughout the weekend. Bexar County Public Works reported applying 4,755 gallons of liquid deicer and spreading 10 tons of chat rock along with 29 tons of fine-grade stone rock to improve traction on impacted routes.
The cold snap also affected county operations. Bexar County facilities were closed Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26, with essential personnel continuing to report as scheduled. County offices were expected to reopen Tuesday, Jan. 27, with regular hours.
Jail heating repairs and regional power restoration
During the same period, the Bexar County jail system reported multiple heating issues. By Monday, three of five heating problems had been resolved, while work continued on the remaining units.
Across the region, the winter weather contributed to scattered power outages as ice and falling tree limbs damaged lines. CPS Energy reported restoring service to more than 1,000 customers by the morning of Monday, Jan. 26, with additional crews continuing restoration work.
What residents were advised to bring to warming sites
- Medications and essential medical supplies
- Warm clothing and personal hygiene items
- Phone chargers and critical documents
- Pet supplies when applicable, with animals accommodated under site-specific rules
The county’s warming-shelter plan was designed as a short-duration response tied to the most severe cold and ice conditions, with operations ending as the immediate threat diminished.
Emergency planners emphasized that cold-weather response can shift quickly based on overnight temperatures and road conditions, and residents were urged to continue monitoring conditions for refreezing risk as the region transitioned out of the hard-freeze period.