Northeast Ohio is facing another weekend of bitterly cold temperatures, putting some residents at high risk, including those experiencing homelessness.The frigid temperatures combined with wind gusts could make it feel as cold as 16 below in parts of the region.
Counties across the region are continuing to keep warming centers open. But some are seeing an increase in the number of people who are showing up, and that鈥檚 posing some challenges.
In Portage County, Shepherd鈥檚 House operates one of the two warming centers in Ravenna Township. Anne Marie Noble, the shelter鈥檚 executive director, said they鈥檙e dealing with shortages of supplies as more people make use of the shelter.
鈥淓very day is a different day because I don't know where some of the folks are coming from or where they've been,鈥漵he said,鈥渂ut all of a sudden, they just show up.鈥�
Noble said they鈥檝e seen about a dozen more people staying at Shepherd鈥檚 House than usual. While this is still below their capacity, she said it has led to an increased strain on their resources, especially since the warming center is open 24-7.
鈥淭he consumption of the gas, the electric, all the administrative things that keep our doors open have gone up exponentially,鈥� she said.
While the shelter has received increased supplies of food, including eggs, Noble said she they could really use donations of toilet paper and paper towel, coffee and other beverages and winter gloves.
鈥淲e probably use about 263 rolls of toilet paper a month,鈥� Noble said, 鈥渟o, you know, count that with 24-7 with an additional extra 10 or 11 people, the consumption certainly has gone up.鈥�
The warming center at Shepherd鈥檚 House is open anytime the temperature reaches 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
Counties across Northeast Ohio have opened warming centers to provide relief to those looking to get out of the extremecold.
Here is a partial list of additional options:
Cuyahoga County
Michael Zone Recreation Center
6301 Lorain Ave., Cleveland
216-664-3373
11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., when temperatures feel like they're below 20 degrees
Lonnie Burten Recreation Center
2511 E. 46th St., Cleveland
216-664-4130
11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., when temperatures feel like they're below 20 degrees
Collinwood Recreation Center
16300 Lakeshore Blvd, Cleveland
216-420-8323
Open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Zelma George Recreation Center
3155 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Cleveland
216-420-8323
Open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Huron County
Norwalk Police Department
37 N. Linwood Avenue, Norwalk
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Ernsthausen Recreation Center
100 Republic St, Norwalk
Open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Lorain County
South Recreation Center
101 South Park Drive, Elyria
Open Friday through Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Portage County
NDS Center
243 S. Prospect Street, Ravenna
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when temperatures are below 32 degrees
Shepherd鈥檚 House
2645 OH-59, Ravenna
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day when temperatures are 20 degrees or below.
Summit County
Akron Emergency Overnight Warming Center
111 E Voris St, Akron
Open Saturday through Monday from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Summit Lake Community Center
380 W Crosier St, Akron
Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Stark County
Canton for All People
120 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton
Open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. when temperatures are below 32 degrees
Refuge of Hope
715 2nd St NE, Canton
Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Tuscarawas County
Tuscarawas County Public Library (Main Branch)
121 Fair Avenue, NW, New Philadelphia
Open Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
