Dangerous cold in Twin Cities: Emergency info, shelters, cancellations
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Extremely cold temperatures have arrived in Minnesota, with dangerous subzero wind chills hanging around for most of the next week in Minneapolis-St. Paul. In fact, if our temperatures manage to stay below 5 degrees for 6 consecutive days -- which is our current forecast -- it will be the first time we've done that since 1996.
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EMERGENCY INFORMATION
If you are in physical danger of freezing, call 911.
CANCELLATIONS
The final Luminary Loppet events for the weekend were moved from Saturday and Sunday to Thursday and Friday. Other previously-scheduled weekend Loppet events have been canceled.
Several metro cities are closing outdoor ice rinks and sledding hills due to extreme cold. Check with your city for updates.
All outdoor ice rinks in Edina will be closed Saturday Feb. 6 and Sunday, Feb. 7 due to the extreme cold, including the Backyard Rink at Braemar Arena and skating at Centennial Lakes Park.
In Eagan, city ice rinks in and the Trapp Farm Park Tubing Hill will be closed Saturday and Sunday
SHELTERS
In Hennepin County and Minneapolis, visit hennepin.us/staywarm for a complete list of locations and resources. Due to the extreme cold, additional emergency shelter beds for single adults have been made available. You can call 612-248-2350 to access these beds.
In St. Paul and Ramsey County, there is a network of shelter resources available for those experiencing homelessness. You can find those services at www.ramseycounty.us/HousingStability or call 651-266-7818.
Call ahead of time, if possible, to assure they are open.
All warming sites offer space to escape the cold, but only some sites offer services like food and case management.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, safety protocols like social distancing will be expected.
HOW TO HELP
If your organization, church, or building provide warming space, contact endhomelessness@hennepin.us to partner with Hennepin County to provide this essential service.
SHELTERS AND WARMING LOCATIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS
Catholic Charities – Adult Opportunity Center
612-204-8300
740 17th Street East
Open Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Breakfast is 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Daytime resources connecting people with medical and mental health care, breakfast and lunch, showers, internet access, laundry and employment counseling
Metro Transit bus routes 2, 5, 9, 14
Hennepin County Government Center
612-348-3000
300 6th Street South
Open to the public from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding certain holidays
Space to sit and warm-up, but no services on site
Must socially distance and wear mask
Metro Transit bus routes 5, 14, 19, 22, 94, C Line
Light rail: Blue Line and Green Line – Government Plaza Station
House of Charity – Food Centre
612-594-2000
714 Park Avenue South
Open weekdays, noon to 4 p.m. when windchill is at 0 degrees or lower
Public meals from noon to 1 p.m. every weekday no matter the temperature
Bus routes 5, 14, 19, 94 (Express), C line
Light rail: Blue Line and Green Line – U.S. Bank Stadium Station (0.2 mile walk)
Minneapolis Central Library – Resource Center
300 Nicollet Mall
Located in former coffee shop space; additional space and computer access are available for short visits within the Minneapolis Central Library.
Open Mondays and Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.
Providing indoor heated space, WiFi and phone charging for a very limited number of people. One on one help from Hennepin County Human Services staff to sign up for county benefits and get connected with housing and crisis resources.
Bus routes 5, 9, 18, 22, 25, 61, 94, 755, Metro C Line
Light rail: Blue Line and Green Line – Nicollet Mall station .3 mile
Minneapolis City Hall
612-596-9512
350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis 55415
Open to the public from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding certain holidays
Space to sit and warm-up, but no services on site
Must socially distance and wear a mask
Metro Transit bus routes 5, 14, 19, 22, 94, C Line
Light rail: Blue Line and Green Line – Government Plaza Station
The Bridge for Youth (ages 10-17 only)
612-230-6601
1111 22nd Street West, Minneapolis 55405
Open when temperatures drop below -15 degrees
Warm up, grab a warm coat, mittens and scarf, have a cup of hot cocoa/coffee, and charge your phone
Overnight accommodations could be provided if appropriate
Bus routes 2, 6, 12, 17, 114, 115
Youthlink (ages 16-24 only)
612-252-1200
41 12th Street North, Minneapolis 55403
Open Monday–Friday, 24 hours a day, Saturday – Sunday 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Extended overnight drop-in and immediate need support available
Metro Transit bus routes 4, 6, 9, 12
SHELTERS AND WARMING LOCATIONS IN ST. PAUL
With extreme cold over the next week, St. Paul and Ramsey County have been coordinating additional resources, including additional overnight capacity at:
Freedom House
20 additional beds for women
651-789-8875
296 W 7th Street
Higher Ground
Additional 20-25 additional beds
651-647-2330
435 Dorothy Day Place
Safe Space
8 additional beds
651-266-4483
160 Kellogg Blvd
Utilizing shelter resources within the system has allowed for additional capacity at Mary Hall.
To help connect someone in need to shelter, contact St. Paul Police non-emergency at 651-291-1111 or Ramsey County at 651-266-7818. Referrals can be made by emailing AdultShelterReferrals@co.ramsey.mn.us.
Members of the public can contact the city’s Information Line at 651-266-8989 if they see concerning conditions that threaten the health or safety of individuals experiencing homelessness, or nearby residents.
St. Paul and Ramsey County also have transportation resources available through the St. Paul Fire Department Basic Life Support (BLS) Unit, Ramsey County, and Metro Transit Police to transport individuals to shelter spaces. The St. Paul Police Department and members of the COAST Unit, which pairs officers with social workers, will also continue to connect with people in need to support and shelter amid the dangers of this cold weather.
SPACE HEATER WARNING
If you use a space heater, make sure it has automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away. Any heater that uses gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
The State Fire Marshal shared a photo from a fire caused by a space heater too close to a couch.
This fire was caused by a space heater too close to a couch. Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn, including pets and furniture.
HEATING SAFETY AND PAYMENT HELP
Malfunctioning home heating equipment can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check that outside furnace vents aren’t blocked by snow or ice and keep your furnace filter clean.
Check your carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms. Test your alarms monthly and change batteries every year.
Energy assistance: Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program helps income-eligible households pay their heating bills. To apply, visit the Minnesota Commerce Department website or call 800-657-3710.
If you smell rotten egg: Immediately leave the home or building, get to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy’s 24-hour hotline at 800-296-9815. Don’t use electric switches, phones, drive or start a car, or do anything that could cause a spark.