Much of southern Wisconsin is under an extreme cold watch Thursday night through Saturday morning, with potential wind chills as low as -40 degrees.
The National Weather Service warns that those temperatures can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, the southern U.S. is bracing for a winter storm that will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain.
Here are Milwaukee-area resources to help you stay safe during bitter cold.
Emergency shelters
If you or a loved one is in need of shelter, energy assistance or other supportive services please call 2-1-1or (414) 773-0211. Here are some of the shelters available in our area.
Milwaukee County
- Repairers of the Breach,1335 W. Vliet St., 7-10 p.m. and overnight until 7 a.m., singles only.
- Milwaukee Rescue Mission emergency shelter, 1820 W. Wells St., singles only.
- Salvation Army
- 1645 N. 25th St., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- 4129 W. Villard Ave., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- 2900 W. Cold Spring Road, Greenfield, Thursday from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- The VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Ave.
- Guest House of Milwaukee, 830 N. 19 St., men only
- Joy House, 818 N. 19 St., women and families
- St. Ben’s Parish, 930 W. State St., singles only
- Unity Lutheran Church, 1025 E. Oklahoma Ave., singles only
- Any public building such as the Milwaukee Public Library branches, or Milwaukee County senior centers are open during the day.
Waukesha County
- Hebron House of Hospitality, Inc.
- HebronHouse, 812 N. East Ave., single women and families with children
- Siena House 1519 Summit Ave., single men
- Jeremy House 1301 E. Moreland Blvd.
- The Salvation Army of Waukesha County, 445 Madison St., single men
How to prepare your home
- To prevent frozen pipes, keep indoor temperatures above 32°F, wrap pipes with insulation or heat tape, and let a small trickle of water run from faucets to keep water moving.
- If your pipes are damaged, call a licensed plumber.
- Heat your home with devices approved for indoor use, and ensure they are properly vented to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning or fires.
- Never use wood-burning or coal-burning grills, camp stoves, generators, stoves or ovens for heat.
- Never leave space heaters unattended or run them overnight while you are sleeping.
- Space heaters should also be plugged directly into a wall. Do not use an extension cord or power strip as they can overheat and cause a fire.
- Check that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly at least twice a year. If you do not have a working smoke detector you can request one to be installed by calling the Milwaukee Fire Department Smoke Detector Hotline 414-286-8980.
- If you need help with your energy bill, the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program provides qualified Milwaukee County residents with a one-time, annual payment toward heating and electric bills. More energy assistance resources here.
How to prepare your car
- Make sure your gas tank is at least half-full and that the battery is charged.
- Make a car survival kit that includes blankets or sleeping bags, extra clothing, high-energy foods and water.
- In cold weather, air molecules contract and your tires can lose air pressure. WUWM’s auto contributor Mark Savage recommends checking your tire pressure any time your warning light comes on. Use a tire gauge to check your tire pressure and make sure it’sbetween 30 and 35 PSI.
- Savage recommends getting a car wash every 10-14 days, because the buildup of salt on your car can be corrosive to the chassis, suspension and exhaust system.
How to keep pets safe
READ: How to keep pets safe and healthy when it's bitterly cold in Milwaukee
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says, “If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside.”
- If you need to take pets outside, it should be for short periods of time.
- Pets should not be left alone in a car during cold weather.
- Always thoroughly wipe off your pet's legs, feet and stomach with a towel after coming back inside from a walk in the ice or snow. This will help prevent your pet from ingesting salt from sidewalks, which can cause gastrointestinal issues.
- People who have short-haired dogs should consider getting them a coat or sweater with a high collar/turtleneck.
- According to the Wisconsin Humane Society, pets are most susceptible to frostbite in their ears, paw pads and the tips of their tail. Signs of hypothermia in a dog include shivering, extreme cold, and lethargy.
- If a pet shows signs of frostbite or hypothermia, the Wisconsin Humane Society recommends slowly warming the affected body parts, wrapping them in a warm towel and calling the veterinarian immediately.
How to stay safe if you do have to go outside
NOAA
- Limit the time you spend outside, and wear warm clothing to cover exposed skin including your fingers, nose and ears.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Seek immediate medical treatment for frostbite, which can occur within minutes to unprotected skin.
- Also seek immediate medical treatment for hypothermia, which can be life-threatening. It occurs when the body temperature drops too low, causing shivering, drowsiness, clumsiness and confusion.
- Do not touch metal surfaces with uncovered hands. Flesh can freeze instantly to a surface.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages because they cause the body to lose heat more rapidly.
Other recommendations to stay safe:
The Milwaukee Health Department recommends creating a cold-weather preparedness kit for your family that includes:
- Candles and matches
- A hand-cranked or battery-operated flashlight and radio
- A cell phone
- Extra batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra clothing,
- High-calorie non-perishable food
- Extra food and water for pets
- First aid kids and any medications you require
- A tool kit.
How to help others
- Donate to the Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness to help support local shelters.
- Donate to The House of Peace – 1702 W. Walnut: Donations are from 9:00 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday or Saint Ben’s – 930 W. State St.: Donations are accepted between 9:00 am and 11:00 am Monday through Friday.
Sources: Milwaukee Health Department, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, National Weather Service.
If you have suggestions of resources to add to this list, please email files@uwm.edu.
