Emergency Room doctors in South Texas are used to treating people for heat stroke but, this week, the arctic blast is creating a different set of problems, 1200 WOAI news reports.
"Because it's going to get so cold, I do fear that we're going to get people coming in. Especially those at greatest risk," Dr. Ralph Riviello says.
The chief of emergency medicine at University Health and U-T Health San Antonio says we don't see weather like this very often. And, if you're not used to a freeze, it can come on quickly.
"You're outside and you're cold. And maybe you're starting to shiver a little bit. But a lot of times it happens quickly where you get to that point that you can't recover," he tells WOAI's Michael Board.
He says the heart rate drops and the body starts to shut down. That creates confusion, which is why some people don't seek shelter in time. Drugs and alcohol, he says, make that ever worse.
Put together, this is why the city has put a priority on helping the homeless during this week's freeze. Teams from the Haven for Hope homeless shelter have been laser focused on finding those who are cold and wet from the snow.
"We have opened additional emergency overflow shelter space," spokeswoman Terri Behling says.
They're also working with partners to get people off the streets and out of the snow.
Behling says, last night and today, there has been a steady stream of calls from drivers who see people living on the street. That's being used to direct their outreach teams.
"And we are very happy to see that. We don't want anybody to be out in these elements."
If you see someone living on the street, and may need help getting warm, the emergency hotline is 210-207-1799