Cities across Michigan open warming centers to fight frigid temperatures

Chandra Fleming, Detroit Free Press
·8 min read

Multiple warming centers are opening their doors to help fight the cold weather this weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) previously had issued a windchill advisory for Friday morning, when windchills up to 15 degrees below zero were expected. The wind chill advisory expired but temperatures only got up to the mid-teens Friday afternoon. The wind was expected to decrease but windchills will remain in the negatives and below zero, according to the NWS.

A few flurries are expected as well.

Saturday and Sunday, temperatures are expected to jump back into the 30s and even possibly the 40s, according to NWS.

Cities across Michigan including Detroit, Dearborn, and Warren have opened up warming centers to help people during the freezing temperatures.

Metro Detroit warming centers

Wayne County

Allen Park

Allen Park Community Center: 15800 White St., Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Detroit

Detroit offers not only warming centers but they’re allowing their libraries to serve as a space as well. Plus have opened two additional 24-hour additional warming centers.

The following locations are available from Wednesday, Feb.1 at 11 a.m. through Sunday, Feb. 5 at 8 a.m.

  • Farwell Recreation Center: 2711 E. Outer Drive

  • Patton Recreation Center: 2301 Woodmere St.

These locations are through March 31 and offer a space for individuals experiencing homelessness. They provide individuals with shelter, meals, showers, and sleeping accommodations.

It's requested that individuals go through the Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) — the main entry point for people facing homelessness in the city to get shelter. They can call CAM at 313-305-0311. The hours of operation are: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

When CAM or holiday hours are not in effect, individuals can go to these warming centers.

  • Cass Community Social Services, 11850 Woodrow Wilson, 313-883-2277.Families and single women

  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries - Mack Warming Center, 11037 Mack Ave., 313-331-8990. Families and single women

  • Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries - Third Street Warming Center, 3535 Third Ave., 313-993-6703. Single men.

The main Detroit library is operating as a warming center among other local branches as well. Here are a few of the local branches that are operating as warming centers.

  • Campbell Branch: 8733 W. Vernor, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.

  • Chandler Park Branch: 12800 Harper, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.

  • Edison Branch: 18400 Joy Road, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.

  • Elmwood Park Branch: 550 Chene, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.

  • Main Library: 5201 Woodward Ave., Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Redford Branch: 21200 Grand River Ave., Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.

  • Sherwood Forest Branch: 7117 W. 7 Mile Road, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.

Dearborn

  • Dearborn Community and Performing Arts Center and Recreation Center: 15801 Michigan Ave., Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 pm; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Henry Ford Centennial Library: 16301 Michigan Ave., Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Dearborn Heights

  • John F. Kennedy Library: 24602 VanBorn Road., Monday through Thursday from 12 -8 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m.

  • Richard A. Young Recreation Center: 5400 Mckinley St., Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

River Rouge

River Rouge Police Department: 10600 W. Jefferson Ave., 24 hours in the lobby area

Taylor:

Taylor Recreation Center: 22805 Goddard Road, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (After hours based on need)

For additional locations visit the Wayne County website.

Oakland County

Farmington Hills

Costick Center: 28600 W. 11 Mile Road, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed on weekends.

Farmington Hills Fire Station #5: 31455 W. 11 Mile Road, 24 hours

Oak Park

Oak Park Community Center: 14300 Oak Park Blvd., Monday through Thursday from 2-7 p.m.; Friday from 1-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.

Orion

Orion Center: 1335 Joslyn Road, Monday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Weekends closed for private rental only.

Troy

Troy Community Center: 3179 Livernois, Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To find additional information about Oakland County, visit their website.

Macomb County

Center Line

Center Line Parks & Recreation: 25355 Lawrence, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Eastpointe

Eastpointe Memorial Library: 15875 Oak, Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mount Clemens

Macomb County Sheriff's Department: 43565 Elizabeth Road, open 24/7

Ray of Hope Day Center: Two Crocker Blvd., Suite 201, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Roseville

Recreation Authority Center: 18185 Sycamore, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Warren

Max Thompson Family Resource Center: 11370 Hupp, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Macomb County government website offers additional locations.

Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor

First Congregational Church: 608 E. Williams St., from Feb. 4-28. Only open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Delonis Center: 312 W. Huron St., Closes its warming center on March 31 and is weekends only. Offers overnight staying starting at 7 p.m.

Dexter

Dexter Library: 3255 Alpine St., Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Milan

Milan Library: 151 Wabash St., Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed on Sunday.

Saline

Saline Library: 555 N. Maple Road, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti District Library-Superior: 1900 Harris Road, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed on Sundays.

For additional information on warming centers in Washtenaw County visit their website.

More:City opens two 24-hour warming centers amid frigid temperatures

How to protect yourself during the cold

The Wayne County commissioners office created a guide on their website with tips on how to protect yourself during freezing temperatures.

Here are a few of the tips they have provided:

  • Have an emergency kit in your car or house that includes a battery-powered radio with extra batteries. Canned food, and a manual can opener, a flashlight, battery-powered lamps for power outages, wood for fireplaces, and rock salt to melt ice are just a few additional items the emergency kit should include.

  • Stay up to date on car maintenance to ensure it's working properly, and make sure to keep warm blankets, clothing, tools, bottles of water, dried fruits, nuts, a first aid kit, and flashlights, just in case you get stranded. Make sure to have a backup car charger as well.

  • Dress in layers to protect yourself from the temperatures.

  • Have a carbon monoxide alarm if you are using alternative heating devices.

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3-feet from a fireplace, wood stove or space heater.

  • If you own a portable generator, make sure to have a carbon monoxide alarm.

  • Make sure generators are kept at least 20 feet away from doors, windows and vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.

NWS said that frostbite on exposed skin could occur just in 30 minutes. They also said that frostbite typically happens when individuals do not take the precaution to protect themselves before heading into the cold temperatures. They remind folks to wear appropriate winter clothing, gloves, and hats.

They also note to not leave your pets outside during frigid temperatures.

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Nushrat Rahman contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan cities open 24-hour warming centers as temps plunge