With record low wind chill temperatures expected over the next few days, the public is encouraged to stay out of the elements as much as they possibly can.
To help with that, Dallas County Emergency Management Coordinator A.J. Seeley reminds people of the facilities around the County that are designated as “Warming Centers.” In most of the area cities, the shelter is the local public library, which will be open during their normal business hours. The centers are designed to be places where someone can go during periods of extreme temperatures to get out of dangerous weather conditions. Seeley points out that few to no services are provided beyond what is normally available in the building.
The “Warming Centers” in Dallas County include the public libraries in Perry, Adel, DeSoto, and Van Meter, as well as the Waukee Public Safety Building. The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for Dallas County from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. today, and then a wind chill warning from 6 p.m. today through 9 a.m. Thursday. During that time, wind chills as low as 45-degrees-below-zero are expected. The temperatures can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes and could also be life-threatening.
To learn more about the Dallas County “Warming Centers,” click the link below. Make sure to listen to Raccoon Valley Radio for updates on the weather, as well as any cancellation and delay information.