Emergency shelter opens Tuesday in Jefferson City amid wintry weather

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new emergency overnight shelter will be open Tuesday in Jefferson City. The shelter's opening comes just in time for the severe wintry weather expected to hit Mid-Missouri.

The Jefferson City Room at the Inn will be open at 1015 Edmonds Street in the Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri building.

The shelter will be open from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. for the entire month of February, staffed with trained volunteers to serve up to 10 guests per night.

The shelter will provide cots, snacks and water. The center is not open for children.

More volunteers are needed for the month of February. Volunteers must be 18 or older for morning and evening shifts. They must be 23 or older for overnight shifts.

Columbia opens an emergency overnight warming center at Wabash Bus Station Tuesday.

The shelter will stay open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Wabash Bus Station, 126 N. 10th St.

The Columbia City Manager authorized the opening of Columbia's overnight warming center due to the winter storm watch.

The City's overnight shelter will be open on these nights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The following organizations will provide emergency shelter services:

• Room at the Inn, visit roomattheinncomo.org for dates and locations
• Salvation Army Harbor House (men, women and families), 602 N. Ann St.
• True North (for domestic violence), please call 573.875.1370
• Turning Point (day shelter 7 a.m. - noon, M - F), 702 Wilkes Blvd.

Columbia's daytime warming shelters 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 Arm, 1108 W. Ash St.
• St. Francis House, 901 Range Line St.

Being outside for too long in extreme cold and wintry weather is not only unpleasant, but it can be dangerous and even deadly.

Dr. Christopher Sampson, an emergency care physician with MU Health Care, said the biggest risks of exposure to freezing temperatures are hypothermia and frostbite.

"Hypothermia is when your body becomes too cold. And that can occur if you're outside sleeping in the elements, especially if there's a wind blowing and or if you get wet, because the snow can melt and your clothes get wet, and that can lead to increased heat loss." Sampson said. "Frostbite is another big risk especially when there are high winds and cold temperatures. So that can develop some times and as quick as 30 minutes."

Sampson said if people do plan on being outside the next few days, it's important to dress appropriately.

"You really want to be prepared for that by wearing gloves, hats, things that cover like the tips of the fingertips, the ears, the nose, having good socks on as well," Sampson said.

Sampson said there are signs to look out for that you may be experiencing frostbite.

"The first sign sometimes of frostbite is just some tingling or a little bit of pain. And then that can progress if you don't get out of the elements to tissue loss and even loss of fingers or toes," Sampson said.

Sampson said if you start to feel any frostbite symptoms, it is important to get inside somewhere warm if possible.

"So really if you start feeling those symptoms, the tingling and you have the ability to go in somewhere to warm up. Sometimes just getting inside a warmer building or a place will let those symptoms get better and you'll prevent the tissue damage," Sampson said.