From the Washington State Department of Health
OLYMPIA – Cities and counties across Washington state are ramping up emergency warming centers and other resources this week to help people cope with the extreme cold temperatures affecting our region.
Cold weather can be very dangerous if you are not prepared, particularly for people without homes, the elderly, and those with medical conditions. Health risks include hypothermia, frostbite, falls, vehicle accidents, and carbon monoxide poisoning from improper indoor use of fires or generators. Winter storms can make these problems worse by causing power outages and property damage.
The Washington 211 line has tips and maps about warming centers, emergency shelters, and other resources. To access it, dial 211 on your phone or visit the Washington 211 website. The service compiled winter safety resources.
The Washington Department of Health’s website also offers important information for winter weather preparedness, how to stay safe during power outages, and how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning at home.
Additional resources from local health departments, governments, and service agencies across Washington:
- Benton-Franklin Health District’s winter safety and shelter information.
- Clallam County Health & Human Services: call 360-417-2437 for shelter information.
- Clark Regional Emergency Services list of shelters and services.
- Grant County opened its public libraries as warming centers.
- Grays Harbor County emergency shelter information.
- Island County warming shelters.
- Jefferson County’s Winter Welcoming Center is open.
- Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management shelter information.
- King County Regional Homeless Authority Severe Weather Response and shelter information.
- Northeast Tri County Health District cold weather safety and shelter information.
- Skagit County temporary cold weather shelters.
- Snohomish County shelter locations and cold weather
- The City of Spokane emergency shelters.
- Tacoma-Pierce County Health District shelter information and winter safety information.
- Thurston County: call 844-628-7343 for shelter information.
- Wahkiakum County’s Sheriff Department: call 360-795-3242 for shelter information.
- Walla Walla Department of Health shelter information and cold weather advice.
- Whatcom County Health and Community Services Department winter shelter information.
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