Uncertain weather conditions have caused the homeless and transient population in Chico to hunker down in peril. In addition to COVID-19 complications, the possibility of catching cold-related illnesses like flu looms as an atmospheric river a storm system bringing high winds and cold rains flows through NorCal.
Chico occasionally opens a warming center at Depot Park. However, it isn’t readily available and only opens when temperatures become life-threatening. According to a Jan. 27 press release, city staff is closely monitoring the weather in order to determine if it’s necessary to open the emergency warming shelters and will notify people when it reopens.