RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Warming centers will be opening for residents across the Rio Grande Valley this week as temperatures are expected to drop ahead of Christmas weekend.

Cameron County:

Brownsville

The city is opening up a 24-hour warming shelter starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 through Saturday, Dec. 24. at midnight.

The shelter will be at the Downtown Parks and Recreation Center located on 1338 E. 8th St.

Pets are permitted if crated and leashed.

Harlingen

The City of Harlingen is opening up shelter for those in need of a warm place to stay starting on Thursday.

The shelter will open at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22 at the Harlingen Community Center, located at 201 E. Madison Ave.

Residents are asked to pack necessary items such as food, water, blankets, pillows, and other personal items.

San Benito

The city will open a warming center at the Community Center starting Thursday.

The shelter will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 to Sunday, Dec. 25. The days and hours of operation are subject to change depending on the weather.

The city suggests visitors to bring their own essential items such as food, water, sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and toiletries.

No pets are allowed except for properly documented service animals.

Hidalgo County:

Alamo

Alamo is opening up a warming shelter for residents starting Thursday, Dec. 22. The available shelter will be located at PSJA Memorial High School located on 800 S. Alamo Rd.

The warming center will open at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22 and close Saturday, Dec. 24 at noon.

Residents are asked to pack essential items such as toiletries, identification, blankets and pillows.

Edinburg

The city will open a Warming Center at the Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, located at 1906 South Closner Boulevard, beginning Thursday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m.

The center’s hours will be as follows:

  • Dec. 22 from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 23 from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m.
  • Dec. 24 from 8 p.m. through 8 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25

The city asks residents utilizing the center to bring overnight medications, a pillow and blankets, and non-perishable food and snacks. No pets will be allowed. The community will be able to charge their electronic devices and utilize the Wi-Fi at the library.

McAllen

Salvation Army in McAllen is opening its doors for residents needing to shelter themselves from the cold weather.

The shelter is located on 1600 N. 23rd St. in McAllen.

Mercedes

The city has activated a warming shelter for Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23. The location is available to anyone in need of safe, warm shelter.

The shelter will open at the Mercedes Dome Recreation Center, located at 1202 N. Vermont. The shelter will open at 6 p.m., on Thursday and Friday.

However, if there are no patrons in attendance before midnight, the shelter will be disassembled.

Residents are asked to pack a blanket, pillow, medication, personal identification, toiletry items, and snacks. No pets allowed. Face masks are recommended. For more information call 956-565-3114.

Mission

The City of Mission is opening a warming shelter on Thursday and Friday.

Residents will be able to access the warming center from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 22. and 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., Friday, Dec. 23.

The warming shelter will open at the Mission Parks and Recreation building located on 721 N. Bryan Rd.

Residents are asked to pack necessities such as a blanket, pillow, medication, identification, toiletry items, and snacks.

Pharr

Vanguard Academy Charter School is opening a warming center on Wednesday, Dec. 21, Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23. Shelter will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on those days.

The warming center will open at the Zeke Martinez Gym, at Rembrandt Early College High School located at 1200 East Kelly Road in Pharr.

Residents are asked to pack necessities such as a blanket, pillow, medication, identification, toiletry items, and snacks.

Starr County:

Roma

The 229th DA Crime Victims Center at 1334 4th St. will be open from Thursday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. through Friday, Dec 23 at 9 a.m. and then from 6 p.m Friday, Dec. 23 through 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

Rio Grande City

First Baptist Church at 1196 W. Main St. will have shelter available from 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 through 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23; from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 through 7 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24; and from 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 through 7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25.

Escobares

Escobares Community Center at 4829 Old Highway 83 will have shelter from 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 through 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23; and from 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 through 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

San Isidro

Abel Gonzalez Community Center at 5101 FM 1017 will have shelter from 6 p.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23; and from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 through 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 24.

La Grulla

Child Advocacy Center at 381 Leopoldo Longoria St. will have shelter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23.