In response to a string of rainy days forecasted by the National Weather Service, the City of Sacramento is set to open weather-respite centers at two locations from Dec. 21 to Dec. 26. These centers, designed to provide shelter from the inclement weather, will include the Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) on Auburn Blvd. and the North 5th Street Navigation Center, as reported by Sacramento City Express.
The OEC, located at 3615 Auburn Blvd., will accept walk-ups and has the capability to house up to 50 guests, it will be operational from 1 p.m. on Saturday through 8 a.m. Thursday, the center also extends the offer of personal belongings storage and is pet-friendly, according to the Sacramento City Express. Set to activate simultaneously, the North 5th Street Navigation Center positioned at 700 North Fifth St., will welcome its patrons daily from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., however it accommodates a smaller crowd of up to 20 adults and, in contrast to the OEC, the center has established a no-pets policy.
The city's weather-respite operations aren't limited solely to these two centers; Sacramento has green-lighted its libraries and community centers to serve as additional weather-respite venues during their standard business hours. For those in need of assistance to access the mentioned services, calling 211 or visiting the official respite center website can provide relevant help and information. Moreover, in an effort to ensure accessible transportation, the City’s partnership with Regional Transit is allowing free rides to and from the respite centers upon showing a SacRT flyer, which can be presented in print or as a screenshot to the bus operator or light rail fare inspection staff upon request, as detailed by the as reported by Sacramento City Express.
With a close eye on the evolving weather patterns, city officials will remain vigilant, monitoring the National Weather Service’s updates to potentially prolong the operation of these centers, the city is also scrutinizing capacity levels at the OEC and the North 5th Street Navigation Center, to decide whether additional activations are warranted and to guarantee the community's welfare against nature's harsh elements, as per the Sacramento City Express.
