Columbia warming centers preparing for weekend winter weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is reminding the public of several locations in Columbia available to those who need shelter from the extreme cold.

Warming centers are available to the general public during the building's normal business hours. The public is allowed access to public areas, such as lobbies, restrooms, drinking fountains, etc.

Having access to resources to keep warm during those winter months can be life saving.

Columbia's warming centers include:

• ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash St.
• Boone County Government Center, 801 E. Walnut St.
• Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.
• Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway
• Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St.
• Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St.
• St. Francis House, 901 Range Line St.

Sara Humm with the Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services says. we certainly have space in our lobby, we have chairs set-up so that if people need to get out of the cold they can certainly do that during business hours. "

Specific questions about each warming center should be directed to the facility management.

Official shelters provide sleeping accommodations and they may or may not include meals. Shelter availability may vary. Columbia's official shelters include:

• Room at the Inn, visit roomattheinncomo.org for dates and locations
• Salvation Army Harbor House (men, women and families), 602 N. Ann St.
• Rainbow House (for children/youth), 1611 Towne Dr.
• True North (for domestic violence), please call 573.875.1370
• Welcome Home (for veterans), 2120 Business Loop 70 E.
• St. Francis House (for men), 901 Range Line St. - must be vaccinated to stay overnight

In the event of a National Weather Service forecast for temperatures nine degrees Fahrenheit or below between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. of a given day, the City of Columbia will open a temporary overnight warming center at the Wabash Bus Station, 126 N. 10th St., from 7 p.m. to 9:30 a.m this weekend.

Some of the official shelters may or may not provide meals, it depends on the resources they have available.

Sydney Olsen, Public Information Officer for the City of Columbia says, "I do know in the Wabash Center we do have a limited capacity but I don't think we have ever reached it."

In case of an emergency the Wabash Center does have to follow safety protocols regarding capacity but, Olsen says they typically never have to turn anyone away.

Due to Covid-19 masks are encourage and will be provides by the Wabash Bus Station.

The overnight warming center will serve as a refuge of last resort for persons unwilling or unable to access local emergency shelter services. City staff will continue to coordinate closely with homeless service providers to ensure low barrier access to overnight emergency shelter as the preferred option for persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

State Warming Centers

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has several warming center locations across the Mid-Missouri area. Check out the map to find one.