Continued winter weather combined with ongoing electric outages have prompted the City of New Braunfels to establish a cold weather Warming Center at the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center
(located at 375 South Castell Avenue) for those without power, stranded motorists, and anyone in need of electricity. The Warming Center will open at 4:00pm today (02-17-21) and is accessible to anyone, free of charge, and will remain operational until winter weather improves and rotating power outages are no longer necessary. Space will be limited due to COVID-19 protocols. The entrance to the Warming Center will be from the Castell Avenue side of the facility.
“Although this unprecedented winter storm has been challenging on a number of levels, the New Braunfels community is doing what it always does…rally together to find ways to help one another,” said New Braunfels Mayor Rusty Brockman. “Our hope is that the Warming Center at the Civic Center provides some help and comfort to those in need of electricity, warmth, and other resources while our community deals with continued winter weather and power outages.”
Although the City is partnering with area agencies (like the New Braunfels Food Bank and C.E.R.T. – the Community Emergency Response Team) to provide limited food, cots, and other resources, those that will be using the Warming Center are encouraged to bring their own provisions (including food, drinks, blankets, sleeping bags, medicine, toiletries, etc). Pets will not be allowed at the Warming Center and COVID-19 precautions will be in place, including requirements for mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand washing.
Please note that the New Braunfels Civic and Convention Center is still subject to rotating power outages; however, the facility is equipped with generators. Again, space at this Warming Center is limited and users are encouraged to call ahead to make sure that there is space available. A 24-hour hotline has been established for those wishing to check on the status of space availability at the Warming Center: 830-221-4002.