19-02-2025
‘Arctic front' potentially deadly for those living outside — here's what to look for
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As light rain makes way to bitter cold overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, the city of Austin is once again opening its overnight cold weather shelters to protect people from potentially dangerous conditions.
Arctic front arriving driving temperatures down
The last major cold snap Austin experienced in January resulted in at least 12 cold exposure calls, including two 'fatal incidents,' according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
The city of Austin's Homeless Strategy Office (HSO) used its text alert system to push out information about the overnight cold weather shelters and inform people about the danger of frostbite and hypothermia.
Signs of frostbite may include:
Initially, one may experience redness or pain of skin
Other signs include a white or grayish-yellow skin that feels 'unusually firm or waxy'
Numbness
Signs of hypothermia include:
Exhaustion
Confusion, memory loss or slurred speech
Drowsiness
The city said hypothermia happens 'at very cold temperatures, but can occur at cool temperatures (40°F) if a person is wet (from rain, sweat or cold water) and becomes chilled.' You can find more information about hypothermia here.
Those conditions are projected to take place overnight. You can find details on how to get to overnight cold weather shelter here.
Happening this winter, Austin-Travis County EMS and Central Health — Travis County's health care district — have partnered on a bridge clinic program. It may very well come into play during winter weather like this.
Central Health, EMS partner on 'bridge' care model for people experiencing homelessness
The bridge clinic is a place for people experiencing homelessness that need specialized and inexpensive care, that may otherwise end up in an emergency room or jail. Most of the patients of the clinic are brought in by EMS. That clinic has been open since late last year.
'It's really designed for people experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise vulnerable or marginalized, who are disconnected from our care system who we can rapidly engage in care,' said Dr. Tim Mercer, co-director of high-risk populations at Central Health.
The bridge clinic off Interstate 35 does not currently have extended hours during winter events like this, but for people who may end up with hypothermia, frostbite or even need an amputation due to cold weather, the bridge clinic is where folks may end up to get a follow-up or long-term treatment.
Signs of hypothermia as arctic cold front arrives
The bridge clinic will also be an option in the coming days as an alternative to the emergency room.
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