Temperatures to drop below zero; warming centers open
By Heather McDonald
As the mercury begins dipping below the teens over the weekend and weather turns to subzero beginning on Christmas Day, warming centers across the county are open, and Portage County Emergency Management has some reminders and tips for those traveling, staying home or who need to find a place to shelter from the cold.
The county currently has nine warming centers throughout the area, with one each in Almond, Amherst, Plover and Rosholt, and five in Stevens Point.
Temperatures are forecast to drop to 14 degrees as a high Saturday, Dec. 23, with a low of 6 below zero, followed by temperatures of 9 above and 6 below respectively for Christmas Eve. Come Monday, Dec. 25, that will fall to -2 degrees as a high and -17 degrees as the predicted low. Winds are expected at 12 mph as well.
The low temperatures continue Tuesday, Dec. 26, with a high of 9 degrees below zero and a low of 15 below, then they begin warming up. Dec. 27 is forecast to reach a high of 3 above zero, followed by 9 above the next day, then 8 above and then up to 12 above zero Saturday, Dec. 30.
Homeowners or renters looking to use space heaters should place them on a level, hard surface and keep anything flammable at least three feet away. Space heaters should not be left unattended.
Other tips include:
“Make sure you pay attention to the weather forecast,” said Paul Riegel, deputy director for Portage County Emergency Management. “If extreme cold weather is expected, make sure you plan ahead to wear warmer clothes and know where your closest warming centers are located.”
The warming centers are available as a stop in for a few minutes or a couple of hours, depending on what the person needs. They are not just for homeless people or senior citizens, but also those who may have to walk a ways to get to their car, or someone out for a walk who misjudged the weather or their distance.
Riegel also suggests people be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Shivering coupled with confusion and loss of muscle control are potential signs of hypothermia; a white, waxy skin appearance, firmness to the touch and loss of sensation can be signs of frostbite.
“If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to get to a warm area immediately and seek immediate medical attention,” he said.
Don’t forget about pets, making sure to bring outdoor pets inside when cold weather turns extreme or when it is expected to turn, and limit indoor pets’ time outdoors.
For additional information and resources or a list of the warming centers, visit www.co.portage.wi.us/department/emergency-management.
Area Warming Centers:
Almond
– Village of Almond Municipal Center, 122 Main St., Almond; 1 to 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to1 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday
Amherst
– Lettie W. Jensen Community Center, 487 N. Main St., Amherst; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon Friday
Plover
– Village of Plover Village Hall, 2400 Post Road, Plover; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Rosholt
– Portage County Public Library Rosholt Branch, 137 N. Main St., Rosholt; 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday
Stevens Point
– Lincoln Center/Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1519 Water St., 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
– Community Warming Center/Evergreen Community Initiatives, 1300 Main St., 8:30 to 9 p.m., 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily; after 9 p.m. a police escort is needed
– Portage County Health and Human Services, 817 Whiting Ave., 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 8 a.m. to5 p.m. Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday
– Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main St., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
– Salvation Army Hope Center, 1600 Briggs St., open 24 hours every day