Upcoming cold snap prompting Edmonton to activate extreme weather response

The weather in Edmonton has been mild in recent days, but the upcoming cold snap has the city preparing to aid its homeless population.

Thursday has a forecasted high of -4 C, but by Sunday the forecasted high drops to -23 C.

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The threshold for activating the extreme weather response is a temperature of -20 C or below, with wind chill, for at least three consecutive nights.

During the response, open city facilities like libraries and recreation centres will be available for anyone who needs a respite from the cold during regular operation periods.

“The City encourages vulnerable Edmontonians to go to shelters to protect themselves from winter conditions,” the city wrote in a news release.

“Shelters are the safest option because they protect vulnerable Edmontonians from frostbite, loss of limbs and death.”

During the response, a third shelter bus, this one running from Kingsway Transit Centre to downtown via the west route, will run every night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. to bring people to shelters with available space.

The other buses, which run throughout winter, start at Southgate Transit Centre and Northgate Transit Centre and go downtown.

The Al Rashid Mosque at 13070 113 St. NW will open an overnight shelter from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. during the extreme weather responses.

Day shelter spaces are available at:

-Bissell Centre - 10530 96 St. NW

-Boyle Street Community Services - 15308 Stony Plain Road

-Canora Community Impact Centre, The Mustard Seed - 10105 153 St. NW

-Mosaic Centre, The Mustard Seed - 6504 132 Ave. NW

-Strathcona Baptist Church Community Impact Centre, The Mustard Seed - 8318 104 St. NW

The Navigation Centre at 10302 107 St. NW can also connect people to shelter and services.

The response is expected to end on Feb. 15, but will be extended if the weather remains extremely cold.

If you see anyone sheltering outside during the extreme cold you are asked to call 211 and ask for the Crisis Diversion Team, a 24/7 service that can help connect vulnerable people to transportation, shelter and support.

People are also asked to call 911 if they see someone in serious distress.

Signs of hypothermia include:

-uncontrollable shivering;

-drowsiness or exhaustion;

-confusion;

-fumbling hands;

-memory loss; and

-slurred speech.

People with severe hypothermia might be unconscious and may not appear to have a pulse or be breathing.