County Opening Shelters in Anticipation of Winter Storm

Published on December 10, 2014

With a major winter storm bearing down on Northern California that is expected to bring significant amounts of rain, high winds and localized flooding, Placer County has taken steps to accommodate potentially displaced individuals and families, including the county’s homeless population.

The County, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will be opening shelters at the Placer County Fairgrounds in Roseville and the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn. The County’s Welcome Center at the DeWitt Center will be opened after hours as an “awake shelter” if there is a need and desire for a warm, comfortable location where homeless individuals can get out the rain. Keeping this facility open is dependent on use, but may remain open around the clock.

Placer County will reach out to homeless individuals in Auburn and tell them of the need to avoid drinking alcohol by 10 a.m. if they are interested in using Gathering Inn services in the afternoon. Homeless people with pets will be allowed to check their animals into the Auburn Animal Services shelter so the individuals can utilize a Gathering Inn/Red Cross Shelter.

The Gathering Inn, a homeless shelter program in Roseville, will open shelters in both Roseville and Auburn. All persons must be clean and sober of alcohol and drugs and not be listed on Megan's Law List for 290 offenders. The shelter in Roseville opens at 3:30 p.m. Individuals in Auburn can obtain transport to the Auburn shelter site at 4:30 p.m. at D St. and Richardson Drive, at the Gazebo.

Homeless individuals with pets will be allowed to check their animals into the Auburn Animal Services shelter so that they can utilize the above shelters. Individuals who choose not to, or cannot avail themselves of the American Red Cross/Gathering Inn shelters can obtain respite at the County’s Welcome Center.

The National Weather Service has issued high wind and flood watch warnings for much of the region until Friday evening. Rain is expected to start late this evening and continue into Friday, with mid-Thursday seeing the highest rainfall totals. Localized flooding is expected. Blizzard and whiteout conditions are expected at higher elevations. High winds are expected to topple trees, which will likely down power lines.

For additional information, please visit the Placer County website, which will have up-to-date information, including shelter information and locations where sand and sandbags are available. For weather information, visit the National Weather Service website.