Winter Weather Prompts Emergency Shelters to Remain Open 24/7

Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a reminder to the homeless today that winter shelters offer expanded hours during stormy weather.

Shelters typically open at 5 p.m. and close in the mornings, but during heavy rains, cold temperatures or high winds, the shelters generally stay open around the clock.

A temporary shelter in La Puente was opened last Friday to supplement the existing ones, but it is set to close at 8 a.m. Tuesday following a review of the weather forecast, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority spokeswoman Naomi Goldman said.

To find the nearest winter shelter and instructions about when and how to gain admittance, call 211. The operator can also provide information about additional overflow shelters opened due to the inclement weather, but are not listed on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority website.

A list of the regular winter shelters, as well as information about pick- up locations, can be found at http://www.lahsa.org/ces/winter-shelter/home.

City officials "are doing everything possible to keep residents safe during the El Nino winter weather," according to Garcetti.

The Los Angeles fire and police departments have also been working to evacuate known flood areas in advance of storms, he said.

City News Service; Photo: www.flickr.com