CALDWELL COUNTY, NC ( January 4, 2018)…The National Weather Service is forecasting sub-freezing temperatures and dangerously low wind chills for Caldwell County through Saturday, January 6, 2018. Due to the anticipated cold weather, Warming Centers will be available throughout Caldwell County during this time period. Caldwell County’s Department of Emergency Services is announcing they are partnering with area volunteer fire-rescue agencies and government locations and will operate seventeen (17) warming centers around the County which will be available to anyone in need of a warm place during normal operating hours. All residents who are vulnerable to extreme cold and who do not have sufficient heat in their homes or are stranded in vehicles are encouraged to seek warmth in any of the following locations until the close of business and/or the specified times. These warming centers are provided to offer relief from the severe cold and will not be operating as full shelters, nor offering medical support, food or drink.
All branches of the Caldwell County Public Library System will be open as warming centers during regular business hours;
• Lenoir Branch, 120 Hospital Ave NW, Lenoir Mon-Tue-Thurs 9:00AM-8:00PM, Wed-Fri and Sat 9:00AM – 5:30PM
• Hudson Branch, 530 Central St., Hudson, Mon-Wed-Thurs-Fri 9:00AM-5:30PM, Tues 11:30AM-8:00PM
• Granite Falls Branch, 24 South Main St., Mon-Tues-Wed-Fri-Sat 9:00AM-5:30PM, Thurs 11:30AM-8:00PM
Warming centers are open at the following Caldwell County Government locations during normal business hours:
• Caldwell County Health & Human Services Building, 2345 Morganton Blvd SW, Lenoir (8 am – 5 pm, Mon-Fri)
• Caldwell County Administrative Building, 905 West Ave, Lenoir (8 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Fri)
The following fire-rescue agencies will be open as warming centers during regular business hours and available for extended periods based on needs. On these days, in cooperation with the fire-rescue agencies in Caldwell County, these warming centers will be available 24-hours/day by calling (9-1-1 Communications) at 828-757-2324 who will then notify the agency of the need and the on-call Emergency Management staff;
• Collettsville Fire & Rescue, 5430 Adako Rd, Lenoir
• Gamewell Fire & Rescue, 2806 Morganton Blvd SW, Lenoir
• Granite Falls Fire & Rescue, 119 N Main St, Granite Falls
• Grace Chapel Fire & Rescue, 4548 Grace Chapel Rd, Granite Falls
• Hudson Fire & Rescue, 122 Mt Herman Rd, Hudson
• Kings Creek Fire & Rescue, 3420 Wilkesboro Blvd, Lenoir
• Little River Fire & Rescue, 4800 Oak Hill School Rd, Lenoir
• North Catawba Fire & Rescue, 2064 Connelly Springs Rd, Lenoir
• Patterson Fire & Rescue, 1414 State Rd 1560, Lenoir
• Sawmills Fire & Rescue, 4068 US Highway 321A, Granite Falls
• Valmead Fire & Rescue, 1757 Main St NW, Lenoir
Lenoir Emergency Outreach Shelter (LEOS) – Operated by Caldwell County Yokefellow, 1129 West Avenue, Lenoir (24-hr/day)
Additional options for keeping warm are available during the day:
• Stores, malls, restaurants
• Churches
• Neighbor’s home
Caldwell County Emergency Services also encourages people to follow these safety tips when temperatures are extremely cold:
• Minimize outside activities, particularly among the elderly and very young. Check on family members and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the cold.
• Pets are also sensitive to the cold; remember to consider your pets’ needs when planning outside activities.
• Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing rather than a single layer of heavy clothing. Wear a hat and mittens/gloves to stay warmer.
• Be aware of frostbite. If a part of the body loses feeling and the skin feels waxy or looks white or grey, warm gently and seek medical help.
• Watch out for hypothermia. Shivering, memory loss, confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness are all warning signs. Seek medical attention for signs of hypothermia.
• Use caution when heating your home. For tips on how to safely use space heaters, fireplaces, woodstoves and refer to the U.S. Fire Administration’s home heating safety handout.
• If using a space heater, be aware of the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.