An extreme weather alert has been issued for Âé¶čAV and emergency warming locations have been opened across the city.
The City of Âé¶čAV activated the cold weather protocols and warming bus when temperatures were forecast to fall below -10C overnight.
Âé¶čAV 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 Âé¶čAV Gospel Mission.
The City of Âé¶čAV 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
- Âé¶čAV Downtown Library
READ MORE: City of Âé¶čAV on board with âwarming busâ 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 siteâs regular security personnel.
âThanks to the partners and volunteers who weâve 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,â 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
For more information visit the Âé¶čAV Gospel Mission on or on their website .
READ MORE:
READ MORE: Prominent Âé¶čAV homeless advocate dies
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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