Napa Homeless Shelter Capacity Increased For Cold Nights Ahead

NAPA COUNTY, CA — With freezing temperatures forecast in the coming days for Napa County and much of the Bay Area, officials with the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency decided Friday to temporarily increase homeless shelter capacity. Starting Sunday and continuing through at least Wednesday, the county will have more beds available, county spokeswoman Kristi Jourdan said Friday in a news release. Those in need of shelter should check-in at the Hope Center, 1301 Fourth St., in Napa or connect with outreach workers for an available bed, Jourdan said.

"The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread freezing temperatures with lows in the 20s and lower 30s beginning Sunday morning and lasting into Wednesday," Jourdan said. "Because of the forecasted winds, those temperatures could drop into the teens."

County officials say possible impacts from the weather include hypothermia because of exposure or poorly insulated residences; biting cold during breezy conditions; and black ice on roadways.

The Napa County Office of Emergency Services and Public Health advise residents to dress warmly, stay hydrated and drive safely.

Staying Safe

The county offered the following advice about staying safe amid cold temperatures:

Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposures to very cold temperatures. When this happens, the body begins to lose heat faster than it’s produced. Lengthy exposures will eventually use up the body’s stored energy, which lowers body temperature.

Victims of hypothermia are often older adults with inadequate food, clothing or heating; babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; people who remain outdoors for long periods. Check in on your neighbors and older adults.

Warning signs include: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, bright red and cold skin, or very low energy. If you notice any of these signs, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°F, get medical attention immediately.

If you are using fire to warm up, make sure your space heaters, fireplaces, and portable generators are working properly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning or other injuries.

Also consider wrapping your exposed water pipes with insulation or blankets to protect them from freezing.

Remember Your Pets

The Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center advises pet owners to bring their furry friends inside, even in the garage. Have some extra blankets to keep them warm, or put clothing on the animals, including covering the paws to ward off possible freezer burn from the cold ground.

Here is the NWS forecast for Napa through Thursday:

Friday night: Clear, with a low around 37. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. South wind around 9 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60. West wind 6 to 9 mph.

Sunday Night: Clear, with a low around 33.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Monday Night: Patchy frost after 10pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 30.

Tuesday: Areas of frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57.

Tuesday Night: Areas of frost after 11pm. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Wednesday: Areas of frost. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63.

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