With as much as a foot of snow expected for this weekend, local service organizations and public agencies are gearing up to help people living outside and other vulnerable members of the public stay warm and safe.
“This weekend will be dangerously cold, and no one should be sleeping or trying to survive outside in this weather,” reads an email statement from the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky in Covington. “It can be deadly.”
The Emergency Shelter is one of the more well-known service providers in the region, providing emergency overnight shelter for people living outside. Ahead of the weekend weather, the shelter enacted so-called “white flag” protocols, which are enacted during extreme weather events.
“Once shelter beds are full, we will continue operating under White Flag, using additional space in the Navigation Center,” according to the shelter’s announcement. “Our building is warm, and guests can access meals, coffee, showers, laundry and community, supported by staff trained to respond in moments like this.”
Guests should contact the shelter in advance to ensure there’s enough space. Contact information and other information about the shelter are listed below.
Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky
Location: 436 West 13th Street in Covington, 41011
Operating hours: 5:30 p.m. Friday through 9 a.m. Tuesday
Phone number: (859) 291-4555
Website: emergencyshelternky.org
Want to donate to help? Click here
Other service organizations are preparing as well.
The Welcome House, which operates throughout the region will be its operating its outreach service to help people outside get access to services. Additionally, the Welcome House’s Boone County hotel program has been activated, the executive director of Welcome House confirmed to LINK nky. That program is limited to people experiencing homelessness. To get connected to shelter in Boone County, call the Welcome House’s outreach number listed below.
The Welcome House’s Family Center will also be operating over the weekend. People interested in services there should call ahead of time.
Welcome House
Family Center Location: 1132 Greenup Street in Covington, 41011
Main phone number: (859) 431-8717
Boone County Hotel Program: various locations; call outreach number to learn more
Outreach team phone number: (859)801-8453
Website: welcomehouseky.org
Want to donate to help? Click here.
Cities and other institutions in Kenton County will also provide public warming centers, listed below.
Independence Senior Center
Location: 2001 Jackwoods Parkway in Independence, 41051
Operating hours: from 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 to 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26
Edgewood Senior Center (aka Liberty Hall)
Location: 550 Freedom Park Drive in Edgewood, 41017
NOTE: People interested in accessing the Senior Center as a warming center should contact a member of Kenton County Emergency Dispatch at (859)356-3191 and request an Edgewood Police officer to ensure the building is open.
Kenton County Detention Center (main lobby)
Location: 3000 Decker Crane Lane in Covington, 41017
Operating hours: Lobby warming center operates 24/7.
Other shelters and centers will be operating across the river in Ohio, as well. Check out LINK nky’s sister publication CityBeat’s coverage to learn more about services in Cincinnati.
Did we miss any? Send us an email at news@linknky.com. We’ll update the list. Check back throughout the weekend for updates.