Sacramento County Opens Weather Respite Centers Amid Storm Threat

SACRAMENTO, California — Sacramento County has activated weather respite centers as heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit the area over the next few days. The centers aim to provide shelter for vulnerable residents during this storm.

The respite centers opened on November 12 at 3 p.m. and will remain available until November 14 at 10 a.m. The Warren E. Thornton Youth Center, located at 4000 Branch Center Road, is among the primary locations offering services such as meals, showers, restrooms, and sleeping cots.

Jenna Haynes, a representative for the county, explained the purpose of the centers. “We’re bringing people in out of the elements, the wind and the rain, and giving them a warm place to sleep, warm food, and access to showers, along with case management services,” she said.

For those hesitant about utilizing the facilities, Haynes emphasized the centers’ safety. “This is a safe place where we want you to literally get respite from the elements. We want to help you. This is a place to help you,” she added.

The Warren E. Thornton Youth Center can accommodate up to 100 people, with 85 beds currently staged. Haynes acknowledged that the service might be temporary, but it serves as a critical first step for many. “We were able to get more than a dozen people into shelter after last winter, and that’s really the goal: to capture them while we have them and get them the services they need,” she said.

Another respite center will open at the Outreach and Engagement Center, located at 3615 Auburn Blvd., from November 12 at 3 p.m. to November 13 at 1 p.m. Sacramento Regional Transit is providing free bus and light rail rides to both centers.

As the county prepares for inclement weather, officials are monitoring conditions closely to maximize support for those in need.