REMINDS RESIDENTS OF HOMELESS HOTLINE 1-866-WARMBED TO HELP THOSE IN NEED FIND SHELTER
Open warming centers are located in Cantiague Park, Christopher Morley Park and the Aquatic Center
MINEOLA, NY – Ahead of an expected drop in temperature tonight and tomorrow, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran today announced that several warming centers will be open throughout the County. For those who need a warm bed overnight, County Executive Curran highlighted Nassau County’s homeless hotline (1.866.WARMBED), which helps find shelter for those stuck out in the elements. During the 2017/2018 season, a total of 482 individuals comprising of 345 adults and 137 children were housed by the WARMBED program.
A cold front will move through the tri-state today, allowing for light rain to overspread the area from west to east. Temperatures will be falling throughout the day. This will allow for the rain to mix with or briefly change over to all snow before ending. Little, if any accumulation is expected. Conditions will become windy beginning in the early evening with gusts of 30 to 40 mph possible, especially along the coast. Very cold and record low temperatures are expected tonight. Lows will range from the teens to lower 20s, even along the coast and into the New York City metro area.
“We’re going to have freezing temperatures tonight into tomorrow. Combined with the wind, it will feel like single digits below zero,” said County Executive Curran. “Our warming centers will be open for anybody that needs them, as will our 1-866-WARMBED hotline. If you see someone who needs shelter overnight, please do not hesitate to call us.”
The following warming centers will be open:
Cantiague Park Ice Rink
480 W. John Street, Hicksville (516-571-7056)
- Tuesday 11/12: 7:30am-11:00pm
- Wednesday 11/13: 7:30am-11:00pm
Christopher Morley Park
500 Searingtown Rd N, Roslyn (516-571-8113)
- Tuesday 11/12: 8:00am-7:00pm
- Wednesday 11/13: 8:00am-7:00pm
Aquatic Center
Merrick Ave, Merrick (516-572-0501)
- Tuesday 11/12: 6:00am-8:00pm
- Wednesday 11/13: 6:00am-8:00pm
No resident should be sleeping outside in the freezing cold. The Nassau County Winter Homeless Hotline (1-866-WARMBED) – is now open and runs seven days a week through March 31, 2019. Between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00am Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 6:00pm through Monday at 8:00am, employees from the Department of Social Services (DSS) make appropriate referrals and provide shelter placement. Between 8:00am and 4:00pm, Monday – Friday, call the Department of Social Services at (516) 227-8519.
Emergency Numbers:
- Department of Social Services (516) 227-8519
- After office hours (516) 573-8626
- Long Island Crisis Center (516) 679-1111
- The Safe Center L.I. (516) 542-0404
- Nassau University Medical Center (516) 572-0123
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A WINTER STORM THREATENS:
Prepare NOW
- Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Extreme winter weather can leave communities without utilities or other services for long periods of time.
- Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
- Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
- Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
- Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full.
- Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frostbite and hypothermia.
Survive DURING
- Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, then stay inside.
- Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
- Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment right away.
- Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.
RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND
- Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toes.
- Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin
- Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
- Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
- Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness
- Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.