As the city of Ventura prepares for potential El Niño storms this fall and winter, plans are underway to provide emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness during severe weather.
The El Niño Winter Shelter will be activated when forecasts indicate flash flooding, including anticipated rainfall exceeding half an inch per hour, to provide safety to unsheltered individuals living in riverbeds and other flood-prone areas, the city said.
The shelter, at the National Guard Armory, 1270 Arundell Ave., will provide up to 120 emergency beds during extreme rainfall events, Oct. 15-April 15, the city said.
“Heavy rainfall can cause water levels to rise rapidly, creating dangerous conditions with little warning,” said Mack Douglass, Emergency Services manager for the city of Ventura. “By preparing this emergency shelter in advance, we can respond quickly and provide a safer place for those most at risk.”
The Emergency Services manager will monitor weather forecasts to determine shelter activation. The city said it is coordinating with Ventura County and Ventura Police Department Emergency Services personnel on shelter operations and emergency response.
The El Niño Winter Shelter is offered in addition to the city’s existing Foul Weather Shelter program, which provides up to 40 non-congregate motel rooms for unsheltered seniors ages 62 and older and individuals with chronic health conditions who reside in Ventura.
Operating seasonally from December through March in coordination with the River Community Church, the Foul Weather Shelter activates when temperatures are forecast below 40 degrees, or at least half an inch of rain is expected overnight.
In the event of a state-declared disaster, additional shelter resources may be requested through the California Office of Emergency Services, the city said
The city’s emergency response efforts follow the Ventura County Continuum of Care Encampment Response Guidance Policy, which aligns with California Interagency Council on Homelessness guidance.
Additional information about shelter activation and access will be shared as conditions warrant. Learn more at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ElNinoShelter.