Homeless Seek Refuge as Canadian Artic Front Invades San Angelo

The Salvation Army doors are open to anyone seeking warmth during daytime hours. When the daily high is 34 degrees or below, “daytime action mode” is initiated at the shelter, as Tim Grider  of the Salvation Army explained.

“This is roughly the 14th time we have had our doors open during the daytime due to extremely cold weather [this season]," he said. "Our shelter is open during the daytime for those that need to get off the street. We open at 4 o’clock to begin receiving for dinner time and those that need shelter throughout the night.”    

Fortunately, the homeless count in San Angelo is low enough that the Salvation Army should not experience an overflow of guests.

“If that should ever happen we do have our church facility around the corner with additional beds and cots, but in San Angelo, an act of nature would be the only thing that might cause the shelter to overflow,” Grider said, adding that the economy is such here in San Angelo that jobs are easier to come by, giving most people a warm place to work during daytime hours.

Why it is so cold?

The National Weather Service in San Angelo expects temperatures to remain in the 20-60 degree range this week. While most of the heavy precipitation is moving out of the area, road conditions are likely to be hazardous in the late evening and early morning hours throughout the week. Low overnight temperatures and warmer ground temperatures can contribute to frozen roadways, as condensation forms and freezes. TxDOT urges all drivers to exercise caution when traveling area roadways.

Patrick Doll from the NWS explained in greater detail the cold front that is currently assaulting our area with frigid temperatures.

“This front originated in the Artic regions of Canada, and is currently pushing its way through central California,” Doll informed. “This front has been sending little waves of energy, which crossed the area Sunday night and Monday morning. There was also another strong disturbance across the northeastern U.S. (just north of Maine) that pulled down some Artic air from the Arctic Ocean, near Canada as well. That front dove rapidly south through the states and (as of yesterday afternoon) is blowing into Laredo. As the Canadian disturbance pulls away, it’s going to kind of shut the Arctic air off more to the east, with sunny skies and higher sun angles, it will get a little warmer later on in the week.”

The change in weather, like the one San Angelo is experiencing now, can also leave some more vulnerable to contracting the common cold. While there’s not really a lot you can do to cure a cold, there are ways to prevent getting one.

Staying healthy during cold snaps

 According to Web MD, simple things like washing your hands, not touching your face, sneezing and/or coughing into a tissue and then immediately discarding it are suggested as preventive ways to not spread germs that could potentially infect someone else.  Wed MD also suggests eating foods that contain phytochemicals. “Phyto” means plant; phytochemicals occur naturally in plants and give the vitamins in food a boost. So eating any dark green, red or yellow vegetable and/or fruit is combative to colds.  

Don’t forget about your furry friends during this cold spell, they too can become ill in freezing conditions. Remember to bring pets indoors or provide adequate shelter from outside elements. For ideas on ways to give outdoor/feral pets shelter in freezing conditions visit: www.pintrest.com/explore/outdoor-dog houses or www. alleycat.org