Body of News Release
San Rafael, CA – In response to the Flood Watch issued by The National Weather Service for designated areas in Marin County spanning from late Tuesday night to late Thursday night, coupled with the Wind Advisory in effect from Wednesday to Thursday, Marin County Health and Human Services (HHS) is activating its Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) for people experiencing homelessness. Marin HHS is initiating the SWES as a precautionary measure, despite not meeting the activation criteria, to ensure the safety of the community.
In collaboration with HHS, Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco (ECS) will operate an overnight shelter at the Marin Health and Wellness Campus (3240 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael).
Any person(s) experiencing homelessness can seek temporary overnight relief at the heated San Rafael location from Wednesday, January 31 at 5 p.m. through Thursday, February 1 at 6:30am. Individuals are encouraged to sign in by 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Persons experiencing homelessness are welcome to bring essential personal belongings to this emergency shelter.
At this time, HHS is not able to accept community volunteers or donations for the emergency shelter.
Sheltering is a protective emergency response action. HHS activates SWES operations based on the following criteria:
- New. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecast calls for a minimum of three (3) days of overnight (10 pm to 6 am) temperatures of 36 degrees or less lasting for three (3) hours or more, or
- New. NWS forecast calls for a minimum of two (2) days of overnight (10 pm to 6 am) temperatures of 45 degrees or less lasting for three (3) hours or more; and, there is a total of 1 inch or more of rain each night, or
- New. Hazardous conditions: NWS issues high wind threat or hazardous conditions county-wide or for a specified geographic area within the county, or
- Hazardous air quality (AQI > 300)
HHS works with homeless service provider partners to coordinate outreach and access to severe weather emergency shelters.
For more information on SWES criteria and preparing for severe weather, visit Marin HHS Emergency Information or call (415) 473-6100. For more information on homelessness in Marin, visit Housing First Marin.