An extreme weather alert has been issued for 麻豆精选 and emergency warming locations have been opened across the city.
The City of 麻豆精选 activated the cold weather protocols and warming bus when temperatures were forecast to fall below -10C overnight.
麻豆精选 is expected to see temperatures plummet below -20C overnight, before windchill, through the week until Dec. 22.
The freezing temperatures disproportionately impact those experiencing unsheltered homelessness by increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, says the 麻豆精选 Gospel Mission.
The City of 麻豆精选 has announced several emergency warming options:
- Richter Street and Weddell Place warming bus. The bus has a capacity of 24 people and can be found overnight Dec. 16 - 23
- The Parkinson Rec Centre
- Metro Central Drop-in Centre
- 麻豆精选 Downtown Library
READ MORE: City of 麻豆精选 on board with 鈥榳arming bus鈥� pilot program
The warming bus will be available from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until temperatures rise to above -10C. It will be operational through the winter during cold snaps.
A bus driver will be at the bus through the night in addition to the outdoor sheltering site鈥檚 regular security personnel.
鈥淭hanks to the partners and volunteers who we鈥檝e worked with to provide this emergency response to extremely cold weather, we have a safe, warm place for people who have nowhere else to go in this weather,鈥� said Mayor Tom Dyas.
Front-line workers, City Bylaw Services, RCMP, and other community outreach agencies will be handing out blankets, sleeping bags, tents, socks, and hand/feet warmers while helping people find shelter beds.
The city has also purchased 27 insulated tents which will be available for use shortly.
The online dashboard with the Journey Home Society gives real-time updates on available shelter beds in 麻豆精选.
For more information visit the 麻豆精选 Gospel Mission on Instagram or on their website kelownagospelmission.com .
READ MORE: Warming centres opened in Okanagan amid cold snap
READ MORE: Prominent 麻豆精选 homeless advocate dies
@Rangers_mom
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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