Galveston to open warming center as nearly all residents without power By Mike Morris, Staff writer Nearly every resident in Galveston lacks electricity and roughly half the island has been without heat for more than 16 hours during the region’s worst cold snap in a century, forcing the city to open a warming center Monday night at the McGuire-Dent Recreation Center, city officials said. City Manager Brian Maxwell said he hopes the facility will at least give residents a chance to charge their phones and stop shivering for a few minutes. Parks Director Cesar Garcia urged residents to call 409-797-3700 before coming to ensure the building, between 27th and 28th street at the Seawall, isn’t over capacity, to bring a face mask and snacks with them, and to prepare to pass a rapid COVID-19 test on site before being admitted.