Need somewhere warm to go? Here are shelters and warming centers in Des Moines
Central Iowans are bracing for dangerous, cold weather for the middle part of January. Temperatures are expected to be well below zero for the latter portion of the week.
Temperatures will be so cold that spending even a few minutes outside could lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
Here are warming centers in Polk and Dallas County that are available to the public during various times of the day to stay out of the elements and stay warm:
What warming centers are available in Des Moines and Polk County?
Polk County officials have identified more than two dozen buildings, including many libraries, that offer a safe warm place. The locations in Des Moines can be found below. The complete list is available on the county's website for other cities in the county.
Des Moines Eastside Community Center: 1231 E. 26th St., Des Moines; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Des Moines Four Mile Community Recreation Center: 3711 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Des Moines North Community Center: 3010 Sixth Ave., Des Moines; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Des Moines Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center: 2100 SE Fifth St., Des Moines; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Polk County Health Department: 1907 Carpenter Ave., Des Moines; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Des Moines Southside Community Center: 100 Payton Ave., Des Moines; Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Shopping Centers Merle Hay Mall: 3850 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines; Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
For a complete list of Polk County's warming shelters, click here.
What warming centers are available in Dallas County?
Warming centers are also available in cities in Dallas County, often at libraries.
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport: The animal shelter and rescue, located at 4002 Ash Street in De Soto, will be open to both community members and their pets from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Adel Library: 330 S 10th Street in Adel. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sunday.
Dallas Center Library: 1308 Walnut Street in Dallas Center. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday,, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and closed on Sunday.
De Soto Library: 405 Walnut Street in De Soto. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Minburn Library: 618 5th Street in Minburn. Open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Saturday and closed Tuesday and Sunday
Perry Library: 1101 Willis Avenue in Perry. Open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 10AM-6PM; Saturday 10AM- p.m.; Sunday Closed
Van Meter Library : 505 Grant Street in Van Meter. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday ; 10AM-3PM Saturday and closed Sunday.
Waukee Public Safety Building: 1300 SE LA Grant Parkway in Waukee. Open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday- Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
West Des Moines Library: 4000 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines. Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Woodward Library: 118 South Main Street in Woodward. Open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday.
DART offers free rides to warming centers
DART is providing free rides to the public to and from warming centers in Polk County as part of Polk County's Extreme Temperature Plan.
Riders should tell bus drivers when they board which warming center or shelter they are heading toward. According to DART, the driver will then transport riders to their location, and no payment will be needed for the ride.
Shelters
Catholic Charities: Emergency shelter for families.
Iowa Homeless Youth Center: Emergency shelter beds for young people between the ages of 18 to 24.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: These are the shelters and warming centers available in Des Moines
