Warming Stations Open To Help Those Facing The Cold
A warming trend is on the way for West Alabama for the new year but overnight low temperatures through New Year's Day will remain at or below freezing levels with chills at or below freezing. That has prompted the Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency and the Compassion Coalition to "Warming Stations" available. The stations will be open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. nightly through Friday.
A considerable number of Tuscaloosa County residents live in substandard housing or must brave the elements has homeless, making them vulnerable to the impacts of extremely cold temperatures.
Those in need of a warming station can call Tuscaloosa 311 at 205-248-5311 during regular hours. Outside of normal business hours call the Tuscaloosa Police Department at 205-349-2121 or approach any law enforcement or fire and rescue officer for information regarding shelter locations.
Run by the Compassion Coalition, an all-volunteer organization of churches and faith-based groups in the Tuscaloosa area, Operation Warm-Up provides warming stations or shelters for Tuscaloosa city and county residents Nov. 1 - March 31 when temperatures fall below 40 degrees for more than four hours.
Warming stations are temporary, public places opened during extreme cold to provide refuge and warmth, distinct from overnight shelters, offering daytime relief with basic heat, often with limited services like food/drinks.
Persons can donate items to the warming stations such as blankets, gloves, hats, socks, hand warmers. Non-perishable snacks, fruit, paper plates, plastic utensils donations are also welcomed.
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