Updates will be posted here as information becomes available.
UPDATE: 7:30 PM – April 10, 2019
All warming/evacuation centers are now closed in Colorado.
UPDATE: 6:00 PM – April 10, 2019
The following warming/evacuation centers are closing down due to lack of severe weather activity:
Douglas County
- New Hope Presbyterian Church
- 3737 New Hope Way
- Castle Rock, CO 80109
- New Covenant Church
- 77 Perry Park Ave.
- Larkspur, CO 80118
City of Aurora
- Vista Peak High School
- 24500 E 6th Ave.
- Aurora, CO 80018
The following evacuation/warming centers are still open:
Elbert County
- Elbert County Fairgrounds
- 95 Ute Ave.
- Kiowa, CO 80117
El Paso County:
- St Peter’s Catholic Church
- 55 Jefferson St, Monument, CO 80132
- Patriot Learning Center
- 11990 Swingline Rd, Peyton, CO 80831
- Old Peyton Middle School
- (Peyton School District)
- 18320 Main St, Peyton, CO 80831
- Woodmen Valley Chapel – Rockrimmon Campus
- (Independent-Not Red Cross Run)
- 290 E Woodmen Rd.
- Colorado Springs, CO
UPDATE: 2:00 PM April 10, 2019
The following warming/evacuation centers are open and staffed with Red Cross volunteers. Refreshments and hydration are provided. Disaster health services and disaster related counseling is on standby. These centers will remain open until no longer needed.
Mile High Region:
Douglas County
New Hope Presbyterian Church
3737 New Hope Way
Castle Rock, CO 80109
New Covenant Church
77 Perry Park Ave.
Larkspur, CO 80118
Elbert County
Elbert County Fairgrounds
95 Ute Ave.
Kiowa, CO 80118
Aurora City
Vista Peak High School
24500 E 6th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80018
El Paso County:
St Peter’s Catholic Church
55 Jefferson St, Monument, CO 80132
Patriot Learning Center
11990 Swingline Rd, Peyton, CO 80831
Old Peyton Middle School
(Peyton School District)
18320 Main St, Peyton, CO 80831
Woodmen Valley Chapel – Rockrimmon Campus
(Independent)
290 E Woodmen Rd.
Colorado Springs, CO
Go to RedCross.org/shelter for up-to-date open evacuation centers.
As of this writing there are no evacuation centers open in the Northern Colorado Region. Volunteers and supplies are standing by.
The American Red Cross is aware of the potential for rapidly changing weather conditions across the state of Colorado today. A very dangerous spring storm system will bring multiple weather hazards today and tomorrow. We are monitoring the situation and working closely with state and county officials along with our partners in preparation to respond should the need arise. Potential evacuation and warming shelters have been identified. Disaster response volunteers and supplies and are currently on standby across the state. In some areas, evacuation centers will open this afternoon before the storm hits.
Go to RedCross.org/shelter for
up-to-date open evacuation centers.
When in
doubt, DON’T go out. The National Weather Service tells us that
temperatures in some parts of the state are expected to drop into the teens to
low 20s. With winds of 30 to 50 mph, wind chill values will be near ZERO
degrees F. The combination of these winds, heavy snow and cold temperatures are
LIFE THREATENING. The NWS has asked Coloradans in affected areas to please
postpone travel today.
Winter
weather poses unique challenges to people faced with bitter cold, snow and ice.
This is an important time to talk with
your family about what to do when a winter storm watch or warning is issued.
Discussing winter storms ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for
young children.
Take time to download the Red
Cross Emergency: Alerts App to your smart phone. You will automatically
receive up-to-date and accurate weather and shelter information. Text
GETEMERGENCY to 90999 or search “Red Cross Emergency” in the Apple App Store or
Google Play Store.
If you are forced to venture out under severe weather conditions.
Be PREPARED!
Be sure that:
- Your vehicle is in good running condition, and
your gas tank is full. - You have a 3-day supply of water, ready-to-eat
food, medications, chargers and any other needs specific to your family. - You have sufficient blankets and winter
clothing for freezing conditions. - You have a windshield scraper and snow brush
and kitty litter for traction.
For a detailed list of items for your emergency preparedness kit:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html
If You Become
Stranded
- Stay in the vehicle and wait for help.
Do not leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless help is visible within
100 yards (91 meters). You can quickly become disoriented and confused in
blowing snow. - Display a trouble sign to indicate you
need help. Hang a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) on the radio antenna
and raise the hood after snow stops falling. - Run the engine occasionally to keep
warm. Turn on the engine for about 10 minutes each hour (or five minutes every
half hour). Running the engine for only short periods reduces the risk of carbon
monoxide poisoning and conserves fuel. Use the heater while the engine is
running. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and slightly open a downwind
window for ventilation. - Leave the overhead light on when the
engine is running so that you can be seen. - Do light exercises to keep up
circulation. Clap your hands and move your arms and legs occasionally. Try not
to stay in one position for too long. - If more than one person is in the
vehicle, take turns sleeping. If you are not awakened periodically to increase
body temperature and circulation, you can freeze to death. - Huddle together for warmth. Use
newspapers, maps, and even the removable floor mats for added insulation.
Layering items will help trap more body heat. 8) Watch for signs of frostbite
and hypothermia. Severe cold can cause numbness, making you unaware of possible
danger. - Drink fluids to avoid dehydration,
which can make you more susceptible to the ill effects of cold and to heart
attacks. - Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts
an added strain on the heart. Shoveling snow or pushing a vehicle can bring on
a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
Right before a
blizzard / winter storm
If you do nothing
else:
- Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest
information and updates. - Be prepared if you lose power or heat and know
your routes and destinations. Find a local emergency shelter. - Check emergency
kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially
medications and medical supplies. Keep it nearby. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html - Be sure you have ample heating fuel.
- If you have alternative heating
sources, such as fireplaces, wood- or coal-burning stoves, or space heaters, be
sure they are clean and in working order. - Check that your fire extinguisher(s) is in good working order and replace
it if necessary. - Bring your companion animals inside
and ensure that your horses and livestock have blankets if appropriate and
unimpeded access to shelter, food, and non-frozen water.
Severe
Winter Weather Safety
- Stay indoors and wear warm clothes.
Layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing will keep you warmer than a
bulky sweater. If you feel too warm, remove layers to avoid sweating; if you
feel chilled, add layers. - Listen to a local station on
battery-powered radio or television or to NOAA Weather Radio for updated
emergency information. - Bring your companion animals inside
before the storm begins. - Move other animals to sheltered areas
with a supply of non-frozen water. Most animal deaths in winter storms are
caused by dehydration. - Eat regularly. Food provides the body
with energy for producing its own heat. - Keep the body replenished with fluids
to prevent dehydration. Drink liquids such as warm broth or juice. Avoid
caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, accelerates the symptoms of
hypothermia. Alcohol, such as brandy, is a depressant and hastens the effects
of cold on the body. Alcohol also slows circulation and can make you less aware
of the effects of cold. Both caffeine and alcohol can cause dehydration. - Conserve fuel. Winter storms can last
for several days, placing great demand on electric, gas, and other fuel
distribution systems (fuel oil, propane, etc.). Lower the thermostat to 65° F
(18° C) during the day and to 55° F (13° C) at night. Close off unused rooms,
and stuff towels or rags in cracks under the doors. Cover the windows at night. - Check on relatives, neighbors, and
friends, particularly if they are elderly or if they live alone.
Protecting your
home
- Learn how to protect pipes from freezing.
- Make sure your home heating sources
are installed according to local codes and permit requirements and are clean
and in working order. - Make sure your home is properly
insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cold air out. - Install storm windows or cover windows
with plastic from the inside to provide an extra layer of insulation to keep
cold air out. - Consider buying emergency heating equipment,
such as a wood- or coal-burning stove or an electric or kerosene heater.
Staying Safe Outside
If you must go
outside, protect yourself from winter storm hazards:
- Wear layered clothing, mittens or
gloves, and a hat. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
Mittens or gloves and a hat will prevent the loss of body heat. - Cover your mouth to protect your lungs
from severely cold air. Avoid taking deep breaths; minimize talking. - 3) Watch for signs of hypothermia and
frostbite. - Keep dry. Change wet clothing
frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses much of its
insulating value and transmits heat rapidly away from the body. - Stretch before you go out. If you go
out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. This
will reduce your chances of muscle injury. - Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling
heavy snow, pushing a vehicle, or walking in deep snow. The strain from the
cold and the hard labor may cause a heart attack. Sweating could lead to a
chill and hypothermia. - Walk carefully on snowy, icy
sidewalks. Slips and falls occur frequently in winter weather, resulting in
painful and sometimes disabling injuries. - If you must go out during a winter
storm, use public transportation if possible. About 70 percent of winter deaths
related to ice and snow occur in automobiles.
Driving in Winter
Conditions
- Check your vehicle emergency supplies
kit and replenish it if .
o Blankets or sleeping bags
o Rain gear, extra sets of dry clothing, mittens, socks, and wool
hats
o Newspapers for insulation
o Plastic bags for sanitation
o Canned fruit, nuts, and high energy snacks (Include a
non-electric can opener if necessary)
o Warm broth in a thermos and several bottles of water
o Keep a cell phone or two-way radio with you. Make sure the
battery is charged.
o Plan to travel during daylight and, if possible, take at least
one other person with you.
- Let someone know your destination,
your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your vehicle gets stuck along the
way, help can be sent along your predetermined route. - Before leaving, listen to weather
reports for your area and the areas you will be passing through, or call the state
highway patrol for the latest road conditions. - Be on the lookout for sleet, freezing
rain, freezing drizzle, and dense fog, which can make driving very hazardous
Staying
Safe After a Winter Storm or Blizzard
- Continue listening to
local news or a NOAA
Weather Radio for updated
information and instructions. Access to some parts of the community may be
limited or roads may be blocked. - Help people who require assistance—infants, elderly people, those without
transportation, large families who may need additional help in an emergency
situation, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them. - Avoid driving and other travel until
conditions have improved. - Avoid overexertion. Heart attacks from
shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of death during the winter. - Check on your animals and ensure that
their access to food and water is unimpeded by drifted snow, ice, or other
obstacles. - If you are using a
portable generator, take precautions against
carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution and fire.
Here’s a great link
for preparing for emergency for people
with disabilities and other access and functional needs.