AUSTIN (KXAN) — If you need a warm place to stay Friday night, you can go to the One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Rd. between 6 and 8 p.m. to register for a spot at a cold weather shelter.

Warming centers are also available during the day at specific public libraries around Austin:

Anyone can call 311 or (512) 974-2000 to request transportation. For more details on which facilities are activated, call  (512) 305-4233.

CapMetro can provide emergency transportation to shelters and will provide life-sustaining trips for MetroAccess customers.

According to Austin Public Health, only service animals would be allowed to stay at the shelters. All other animals would be handed off to Animal Service for pet support. 

For more information on what help is available, visit the Active Information City Hub on the city website.

YMCAs open to the community

The YMCA of Austin is opening five centers starting Friday through 6 p.m. Sunday to offer recreational activities to those who have been cooped up during the ice storm.

The organization said visitors can enjoy free use of its fitness centers, exercise classes, heated indoor pools, gyms, child watch, locker rooms and more.

Here are the YMCA locations that are participating:

  • East Communities YMCA, 5315 Ed Bluestein Blvd.
  • Hays Communities YMCA, 465 Buda Sportsplex Dr.
  • North Austin YMCA, 1000 W. Rundberg Ln. (closed Friday)
  • TownLake YMCA, 1100 W. Cesar Chavez
  • YMCA Camp Moody, 1220 Old San Antonio Rd.

For more details, visit the YMCA of Austin’s website.