By Melody Mercado, Des Moines Register
Central Iowans are bracing for dangerous, cold weather the rest of this week, with temperatures and wind chills well below zero.
With a wind chill advisory in place across the metro from 6 p.m. Wednesday through noon Thursday, spending too much time outside could be fatal.
Here are warming centers in Des Moines that are available to the public during various times of the day:
Shelters
Hope Ministries: Hope Ministries has shelters currently operating under a winter amnesty status. A men’s-only shelter is available at the organization’s shelter Bethel Mission located at 1310 6th Ave.
Central Iowa Shelter & Services: CISS is also currently running under a winter amnesty status. There are 150 beds available at the shelter, but the shelters will accept people well beyond that capacity during weather amnesty. CISS is located at 1420 Mulberry St.
Warming Centers
Southridge Mall: The mall, located at 1111 E Army Post Road, serves as a warming center from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-6 p.m. on Sundays.
Merle Hay Mall: The mall, located at 3800 Merle Hay Road, serves as a warming center from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Des Moines Public Library: All six public libraries serve as warming centers during normal operating hours.
Central Library: 1000 Grand Ave. — Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.
East Side Library: 2559 Hubbell Ave. — Open 10 a.m.-8p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Forest Avenue Library: 1326 Forest Ave. — Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Franklin Avenue Library: 5000 Franklin Ave. — Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.
North Side Library: 3516 Fifth Ave. — Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
South Side Library: 1111 Porter Ave. — Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Des Moines Community Recreation Centers: Both community recreation centers in Des Moines serve as warming shelters from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pioneer Columbus Recreation Center: 2100 SE 5th St.
Fourmile Community Recreation Center: 3711 Easton Blvd.
Free Rides:
DART is providing free rides to the public to warming centers and overnight shelters in Polk County from Wednesday through Friday.
Riders should tell bus drivers when they board that they want to go to the warming center or shelter. According to DART, the driver will then transport riders to the nearest location.
For a complete list of Polk County’s warming shelters, click here.
Alternative Resources:
For individuals who cannot, for whatever reason, go to a shelter, local nonprofit Joppa can help supply individuals with outdoor supplies such as tents, sleeping bags and more. Call 515-288-5699 for assistance.
Melody Mercado covers Des Moines city government for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or Twitter @melodymercadotv.
Facebook Comments