AUSTIN, Texas — Sleet on the ground, boots on his feet and his possessions in hand, Gary Pittman is one of thousands of Texans experiencing homelessness right now during the 2022 Texas freeze.
“It was really wet. It was really cold," Pittman said.
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services reported at least a dozen hypothermia cases by 9 a.m. on Thursday.
“Right now it’s pretty bad. It’s not a condition that you want to move around in at all,” Pittman said.
But as he made his way over the Congress Avenue Bridge, Pittman shared he didn’t have much of a choice.
“Living on the street,” he explained.
Pittman said he stayed at a friend's house Wednesday night.
Facing icy road conditions and below freezing temperatures, Pittman pushed on.
Beginning Feb. 4, these Austin community shelters will be operating 24 hours a day for as long as conditions necessitate.
- Dove Springs Recreation Center - 5801 Ainez Dr. Austin TX, 78744
- Dittmar Recreation Center - 1009 W. Dittmar Rd., Austin, TX 78748
- Gus Garcia Recreation Center - 1201 E. Rundberg Ln., Austin, TX 78753
- Givens Recreation Center - 3811 E. 12th St., Austin, TX 78721
These day warming centers will be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for people to warm up and charge their electronic devices during the day.
- Cowan Elementary - 2817 Kentish Dr., Austin, TX, 78748
- Wooten Elementary - 1406 Dale Dr., Austin, TX, 78757