At the direction of Governor Ned Lamont, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), Department of Housing (DOH), Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Department of Social Services (DSS), United Way 2-1-1, the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, and other partners are implementing the severe cold weather protocol to ensure all those in need are sheltered during the severe cold weather.
The protocol will be activated from noon on Sunday, January 20 through noon on Wednesday, January 23
.
The current forecast calls for temperatures to rapidly drop late in the afternoon on Sunday, as bitterly cold air is forecast to rush into the state Sunday night with temperatures falling to near 0 F by daybreak on Monday and wind chills between -10 and -20 F. Highs on Monday may only reach around 10 F with wind chills remaining below zero during the day. Monday night will be nearly as cold as the previous night with lows around 7 F and wind chills around -5 F. Temperatures will begin to moderate on Tuesday but should remain below 25 F with wind chills in the low teens. Tuesday night is not expected to be as cold with lows around 20 F. More moderation is expected to occur on Wednesday as temperatures are forecast to rise back above freezing for the first time in nearly 3 days.
If you receive a call from someone looking for shelter and you are not aware of any shelter space, please direct the person to 2-1-1. If your town opens a shelter or warming center, please ask your town emergency management department to indicate its status on DEMHS WebEOC. Working with local shelters, 2-1-1 will act as a clearinghouse to ensure that shelter is identified for those who need it. Please spread the word of this critical service provided by 2-1-1.
Please note: While shelters are not required to remain open during hours they would normally close during this cold weather period, any efforts that shelters and other frontline providers can make to provide shelter space for those in need during this particular cold is appreciated.
If you have any questions about the policies for access to shelter in your area, please contact your
CAN coordinator
.
If you have any questions about the 2-1-1 referral process, please contact Wendy Caruso, at
[email protected]
, or if identify someone in need of immediate shelter, please dial 2-1-1, press option 5 and a contact specialist will assist you with shelter arrangements in your area.
