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Corpus Christi highlights city response to deep freeze; refuge centers served about 215 residents and pets
Summary
City Manager Peter Zanoni told the City Council the city opened refuge centers and coordinated more than 200 employees and 16 partner agencies to shelter residents and pets during a multi‑day deep freeze, while the Owen Stevens Water Treatment Plant received a TCEQ TOP award for operational excellence.
City Manager Peter Zanoni told the City Council the city opened two refuge centers and a network of warming sites during a multi‑day deep freeze this month, sheltering hundreds and coordinating dozens of partner organizations.
Zanoni said refuge centers at Ben Garza Gym and the Del Mar College FEMA Dome provided sleeping, meals, bathing and pet accommodation during the cold front and remained open through the weekend. "We opened them early because people were already lining up," Zanoni said, thanking Del Mar College, the RTA, AEP Texas, the Salvation Army, Coastal Bend Humane Society, Coastal Bend Food Bank and H‑E‑B for support.
Council members described on‑the‑ground scenes and praised city employees and partner volunteers who operated the overnight refuge centers. The city reported assisting about 115 people at Ben Garza Gym and about 100 at the Del Mar FEMA Dome and accommodating roughly 10 pets across the two sites. Zanoni said roughly 200–300 city employees and 16 partner agencies supported shelter operations, doing tasks outside their normal duties.
The report included a short video recap of the shelters. Zanoni said the city also provided targeted outreach — welfare checks for seniors, coordinated animal care services and transportation assistance through the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority. "These employees didn't get a chance to go to H‑E‑B because they were helping the community," Zanoni said.
Separately in the manager’s report, Zanoni recognized the Owen Stevens Water Treatment Plant for earning the TOP award from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, a voluntary recognition for plants that exceed state and federal treatment standards. He credited investments the council has approved — listed in the briefing as an $86 million raw water facilities improvement, a $100 million chlorine system upgrade and other filtration and hydraulic investments — with enabling the plant’s improved performance.
What’s next: Council members said they will relay thanks to staff and community partners. No formal council action was required for the emergency shelter report; the City Manager said the city will continue to evaluate response lessons learned and follow up with additional support for partner agencies.
