BOSTON - Wednesday, February 1, 2023 -
Mayor Michelle Wu has declared a cold emergency in the City of Boston
for Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 5 due to the extreme cold
weather that is forecasted for this time period. Boston is forecasted to
experience wind chills below zero on Friday, February 3 and Saturday,
February 4. BCYF locations will be activated as warming centers
on Friday and Saturday.
“Boston is moving quickly to ensure that
everyone is protected from the intense cold weather that will start Friday
and last through the weekend. I want to thank the many city teams who have
already begun preparations and will be responding to this weekend’s brutal
cold weather,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I urge all Boston
residents to take precautions, stay warm and safe, and check on your
neighbors during this cold emergency.”
Wind chill values will begin dropping Friday
night. On Friday, the wind chill is predicted to be as low as -21 degrees
Fahrenheit, with the cold air staying through Sunday. On Saturday, the wind
chill is predicted to be -27 degrees Fahreinheit, the lowest temperature
this weekend. Due to the low temperatures and strong wind gusts, there is
an increased risk for hypothermia and frostbite for certain populations,
such as those experiencing homelessness, the elderly, and young children.
Cold weather may also exacerbate health issues in high-risk populations.
The current City of Boston cold emergency
threshold is 1 day or more of -10°F or below observed wind chill.
Additionally, the current City of Boston cold advisory threshold is one day
or more of 0°F or below observed wind chill.
Mayor Wu is advising all residents to take
precautions, including reminding them to check in on older adults, people
with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness. If you see people
experiencing homelessness out in the cold, please call 911. If residents
are aware of anyone staying in a vehicle or a place not intended for living
during these extreme cold temperatures, they are encouraged to call 911 as
well.
Boston Centers for Youth & Families
(BCYF) will activate warming centers at community centers during their
normal operating hours. A full list of locations and their hours can be
found here.
Residents can visit the Boston Public
Library Central or branch
locations during their
normal operating hours.
The Southampton Street Shelter for men over
18 years of age and Woods Mullen Shelter for women over 18 years of age are
open 24/7. Amnesty is in effect and anyone with a non-violent restriction
may come in. Pine Street Inn’s mobile outreach vehicles will also be out on
the street with extended hours.
The Engagement Center on Atkinson Street
will be open with expanded hours from 6am to 7pm. Outreach workers have
been engaging with unhoused people in the area of Mass and Cass to inform
them of the upcoming cold weather and of resources they can access.
The Boston Police Department (BPD) is making
announcements on every shift reminding officers and all personnel to be on
the lookout for people on the streets. BPD will conduct wellness checks or
assist with transportation to available shelters and coordinate with
emergency medical personnel for unsheltered individuals. The BPD Street
Outreach Unit will be available as a resource to assist the districts,
outreach providers and 911 dispatch as needed. They will also be passing
out gloves, hats, jackets, and hand warmers.
KEY SAFETY TIPS INCLUDE:
Dress for the weather:
·
Due
to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, residents are required to wear face
coverings in all indoor public places.
·
Wear
several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one
layer of heavy clothing.
·
Outer
garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
·
Wear
mittens over gloves; layering works for your hands as well.
·
Always
wear a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your
lungs.
·
Dress
children warmly and set reasonable time limits on outdoor play.
·
Restrict
infants' outdoor exposure when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watch for signs of frostbite:
·
Signs
of frostbite include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in
extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose. If
symptoms are detected, get medical help immediately.
Watch for signs of hypothermia:
·
These
include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence,
slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If you or someone you
know shows any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare provider
immediately. If symptoms are severe, call 911.
Heating guidelines for property owners and
tenants:
·
In
accordance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season
officially begins on September 15 and runs through June 15. Property owners
must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees between 7
a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 64 degrees between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.
·
In
case of emergency, property owners are encouraged to keep a list of licensed
contractors (electrician, plumber and general contractor) on file. Tenants
experiencing problems with their heating system should check the
thermostat, ensure the dial is turned on, and report insufficient or no
heat problems to the property owner or manager immediately.
·
If
your landlord or property manager is unresponsive, call 311 to file a
complaint.
Heating safety:
·
Never
heat your home using charcoal or gas grill, oven, or other products not
specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce
dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.
·
Have
your heating system cleaned and checked annually.
·
Install
and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your
home. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas produced whenever any fuel is
burned. Common sources include oil or gas furnaces, water heaters,
fireplaces, stoves, and some space heaters. It has no smell, taste, or
color. It is poisonous and can be deadly.
·
Carbon
monoxide symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, including headache,
dizziness, and weakness. If multiple people within a residence experience
sudden onset of such symptoms, that can be a warning sign of possible
carbon monoxide poisoning.
·
Keep
space heaters at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, including
people.
·
Space
heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room, or go
to bed.
Tips to keep water flowing and pipes
unfrozen during extreme cold:
·
The
Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends homeowners locate a home's
main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe
burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property
damage.
·
Homeowners
should insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, garages and crawl
spaces. Use inexpensive hardware store materials to prevent pipes from
freezing and to keep warm water flowing.
·
Circulate
warm air around pipes by keeping cabinet doors open. Circulate a trickle of
tap water through pipes during extreme cold to help prevent them freezing
up.
·
Locate
your water meter, protect it from drafts, and make sure basement doors and
windows are shut tight.
·
If
pipes freeze, slowly thaw them with a hair dryer, if possible. Never use an
open flame to thaw pipes. If water is lost in all taps, call BWSC 24-hour
Emergency Assistance Line at 617-989-7900
Emergency home repair resources:
·
Income-eligible
homeowners and Boston's residents over age 60 can receive assistance with
winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs,
furnaces and leaking/frozen pipes. For assistance, residents should call
the Mayor's hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635-HOME
(4663).
·
In
addition, the Mayor's Seniors Save program helps income eligible Bostonians
over the age of 60 replace old, inefficient heating systems with a brand
new heating system, even before a failure occurs during the cold winter
months. Older adults can also call 311 or the Boston Home Center at
617-635-HOME (4663) to be connected with a City staffer to provide
additional details.
For alerts, including cold-weather alerts,
residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert Boston. For more information, please visit the
Winter in Boston guide and follow @CityofBoston on Twitter.
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