MAINE, USA — Wicked cold air is moving into Maine from Canada and will drop temperatures into the negatives by this weekend, with "feels like" temps even colder.
To keep Mainers safe in these conditions, a number of municipalities across the state have opened public warming shelters. Some may provide limited food, showers, charging stations, and places to rest.
Here is a list of warming centers that have been announced. Counties are listed in alphabetical order.
Androscoggin County
Auburn
Location: Auburn Housing Authority Family Development Center on Valerie Circle.
Info: Food, staff, security onsite. Free transportation to center. Noon Friday to noon Sunday.
Greene
Location: Green Fire Station (106 Patten Road).
Info: Will be open as needed Friday through Sunday. Call 207-576-8035 to make arrangements.
Aroostook County
Blaine
Location: Old Fashion Revival Center (13 Kinney Road)
Info: Open Friday and Saturday.
Caribou
Location: Caribou Wellness Center (55 Bennett Drive)
Info: Open Friday and Saturday from 6 a.m to 8 p.m. Should you need any assistance, call the Caribou Police Department at 493-3301.
Fort Fairfield
Location: Fort Fairfield Community Center (18 Community Drive)
Info: If you need a warm place to go, please call the Police Department at 472-3808 and let the dispatcher know what your needs are, and they will facilitate a warm place for you. You can also call the Fire Department at 472-3809 and request the same. The shelter will be opened as needed.
Fort Kent
Location: University of Maine at Fort Kent (23 University Drive)
Info: Will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Contact number is 207-551-9374.
Limestone
Location: Limestone Community School (93 High Street)
Info: Open as needed (24/7 if necessary). Contact number is 207-492-9037.
Perham
Location: Perham Baptist Church (701 Perham Road)
Info: Open Friday and Saturday. Contact number is 207-455-4817.
Portage Lake
Location: Portage Lake Town Hall
Info: It will be open at 7:30 a.m. Friday and will be available at least until 2 p.m. when the town office closes.
Presque Isle
Location: Hope and Prosperity Resource Center (1 Edgemont Drive)
Info: Open Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact number is 207-554-4143.
Sinclair
Location: Senior Center (236 Sinclair Road)
Info: Open Friday and Saturday.
Cumberland County
Bridgton
Location: Bridgton Community Center (15 Depot Street).
Info: Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; Sunday 9 a.m. -1 p.m. Call 207-647-3116 for more information.
Cape Elizabeth
Location: Thomas Memorial Library (6 Dyer Road).
Info: Water, Wi-Fi, and public computers. Monday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sunday. Contact number is 207-799-1720.
Cumberland
Location: Cumberland Town Hall (290 Tuttle Road).
Info: Open Thursday from noon to 8 a.m. on Monday. Phone charges, bathrooms, TV, water, and coffee will be available. Call 207-233-0414 for more information.
Cundy's Harbor
Location: Cundy's Harbor Library (935 Cundy's Harbor Road).
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Contact number is 207-725-1461.
Falmouth
Location: Falmouth Memorial Library (5 Lunt Road).
Info: Open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks required.
Gray
Location: Gray Public Library (5 Hancock Street).
Info: Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Will offer bathrooms, charging, reading material, internet access, and computers with internet access.
Harpswell
Location: Harpswell Town Office (263 Mountain Road).
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 207-725-1461 for more information.
Harpswell
Location: Bailey's Island Community Church (2141 Harpswell Islands Road).
Info: Open Friday and Saturday, 24 hours a day. Kitchen Available. Contact number is 207-522-8841.
Orr's Island
Location: Orr's Island Library (1699 Harpswell Islands Road).
Info: Open Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Coffee, tea, and snacks. Contact number is 207-833-7991.
Portland
Location: Downtown Library (5 Monument Square).
Info: Will be available during normal operating hours: weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Portland
Location: First Parish Church (425 Congress Street).
Info: Open Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact number is 207-781-2610.
Portland
Location: Salvation Army Gymnasium (297 Cumberland Avenue).
Info: Open Friday from 3 p.m. to Saturday at 8 a.m., and Saturday from 3 p.m. to Sunday at 8 a.m.
Scarborough
Location: Scarborough Public Library (48 Gorham Road).
Info: Open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact number is 207-883-4723.
South Portland
Location: South Portland Community Center (21 Nelson Road).
Info: Open Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is not open on Saturday. Contact number is 207-767-7650. Open for warming and charging.
South Portland
Location: South Portland Main Library (482 Broadway Street).
Info: Open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Contact number is 207-767-7660.
South Portland
Location: South Portland City Hall (25 Cottage Road).
Info: Open Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact number is 207-767-3201.
Westbrook
Location: Westbrook Community Center (426 Bridge Street).
Info: Open Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.Restrooms and charging stations will be available.
Windham
Location: Windham Public Library (217 Windham Center).
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Hancock County
Ellsworth
Location: INSPIRE Recovery Center (24 Church Street).
Info: Open 7 days a week including holidays from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Open Saturdays and Sunday in February from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kennebec County
Augusta
Location: Augusta Civic Center (76 Community Drive).
Info: Open Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lincoln County
Boothbay
Location: Boothbay YMCA (251 Townsend Avenue).
Info: Open Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be limited parking Saturday morning due to a swim meet.
Damariscotta
Location: Central Lincoln County YMCA (525 Main Street).
Info: Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a bathroom and showers.
Newcastle
Location: Faith Baptist Church (144 Mills Street).
Info: Open from 8 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. A bathroom will be available.
Newcastle
Location: Second Congregational Church (144 Mills Road).
Info: Open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday from Feb. 1 through April 28.
Wiscasset
Location: Wiscasset Community Center (242 Gardiner Road).
Info: Open Friday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a kitchen, bathroom, showers, generator, water, and Wi-Fi.
Oxford County
Canton
Location: Canton Fire Department (90 Turner Street)
Info: Call Jason Vaughan (Fire Chief) for more information/access at 207-357-0162.
Mexico
Location: Mexico Town Hall (134 Main Street).
Info: Contact Raquel Welch (Town Manager) at 207-446-4111, Jack Gaudet (EMD) at 207-418-7429, or Mexico Fire Dept. at 207-364-3612 to make arrangements.
Otisfield
Location: Otisfield Community Center (292 State Route 121).
Info: Open from 5 p.m. on Friday to noon on Saturday. Warming, water, phone, and charging services will be available. Call Rick Micklon at 207-838-1561 for more information.
Paris
Location: Paris Fire Department (137 Western Avenue).
Info: Open from 7 a.m. on Friday until temperatures warm up. Contact Mark Blaquiere at 207-515-0218 for more information.
South Paris
Location: Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, School Cafeteria (256 Main Street).
Info: Open 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Doors are located near the bus loop on the side of the building. Call Bud Ramond at 207-890-0451, Michael Manning at 207-461-1726, or Val Graffa at 207-461-0455 for more info.
West Paris
Location: West Paris Town Office (25 Kingsbury St).
Info: Open from 6 p.m. on Friday until 9 a.m. on Sunday. Call for access at 207-461-0080.
Porter
Location: Porter Town Hall (71 Main Street).
Info: Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. No public wifi available. Contact Janice Miller at 207-625-8344 for more information.
Rumford
Location: Rumford Police Department (150 River Road).
Info: Open 24/7 Friday and Saturday. Call Chris Reed for more info at 207-418-1083.
Waterford
Location: Waterford Town Complex (366 Valley Road).
Info: Open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bathrooms, showers, ability to charge, and warm beverages are provided. Contact Sharon at 207-595-8291 for more information.
Penobscot County
Bangor
Location: Bangor Area Homeless Shelter (263 Main Street)
Info: Providing overnight warming center on a regular basis. Call 207-947=0092 for more information. Day program is also offered.
Bangor
Location: Brick Church (126 Union Street).
Info: Providing overnight warming center on a regular basis. Check-in is before 4 p.m. Call 207-989-5401 for more information.
Bangor
Location: Mansion Church (96 Center Street).
Info: Providing overnight warming center on a regular basis. Opens at 6 p.m. each evening. Intake closes at 9 p.m. Call 207-249-9154 for more information.
Bangor
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church (126 Park Street).
Info: Open until Sunday at noon. Call 207-505-1510 for more information. The warming center is coordinated by Needlepoint Sanctuary, which will purchase motel rooms for some families and those with disabilities.
Bangor
Location: Hope House (179 Corporate Drive).
Info: Open continuously until Sunday. Limit of 10 people. Call 207-217-6713 ext. 1 for more information.
Bangor
Location: Together Place Peer Run Recovery Center (Second Street).
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Bangor
Location: Bangor Public Library (145 Harlow Street).
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Will be open at 8 a.m. this Saturday. Call 207-947-8336 for more information.
Bangor
Location: The Shaw House (136 Union Street)
Info: Open 24/7 to youths from 10 to 20 years old who are homeless and at-risk.
Bangor
Location: The Well Warming Center (146 Center Street, behind River Church).
Info: Open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May be open until 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Call 207-990-1711 for more information. Operated by Jericho Road Ministries.
Brewer
Location: Bangor Area Recovery Network (142 Center Street).
Info: Open 6 p.m. on Friday through Saturday evening. Call 207-561-9444 for more information. Limit of 30 people.
Howland
Location: Howland Town Office (10 Bridge Road).
Info: Open 6 p.m. on Friday through noon on Saturday. Call 207-732-3513 for more information.
Lincoln
Location: Lincoln Town Public Works (7 Park Avenue).
Info: Opens Friday at 5 p.m. and stays open until 9 a.m. on Sunday. People are asked to bring food and blankets if possible. No pets allowed. Call 207-794-3372 for more information.
Medway
Location: Pir2Peer Recovery Center (2323 Medway Road).
Info: Open continuously until noon on Sunday. Limit of 30 people. Call 207-447-9500 for more information.
Millinocket
Location: Millinocket Public Library (5 Maine Avenue).
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. Call 207-723-7020 for more information.
Orono
Location: Orono Public Library (39 Pine Street)
Info: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Call 207-866-5060 for more information.
Piscataquis County
Greenville
Location: Greenville High School (130 Pritham Avenue)
Info: Call 207-564-3304 for more information.
Sagadahoc County
Bath
Location: Bath YMCA (303 Centre Street).
Info: Open during normal YMCA business hours. Warming and cell phone charging. Contact number is 207-443-4112.
Bath
Location: Bath Recovery Center (15 Vine Street)
Info: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Available for warming and charging services, coffee, and snacks. A limited amount of hygiene products will be available. Contact 207-389-4937 as needed.
Bath
Location: First Baptist Church (851 Washington Street).
Info: Warming, cell phone charging, light snacks. Contact names/numbers: Mark Lunn Cell 207-208-6075 Home 207-443-9677, David Oliver Cell 207-751-9863 Home 207-389-4544.
West Bath
Location: West Bath Fire Station (192 State Road)
Info: Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Warming and charging services, water, light snacks will be available.
Bowdoinham
Location: Bowdoinham Fire Department (57 Post Road).
Info: Open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for warming and charging.
Phippsburg
Location: Phippsburg Fire Department.
Info: Will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and can open for warming and charging. Fire department can be reached Saturday through dispatch if there is a need.
Richmond
Location: American Legon Post (53 Carding Machine Road)
Info: Open from 9 p.m. on Saturday to 9 a.m. on Sunday. Light refreshments will be available.
Richmond
Location: Umberhine Public Library (86 Main Street)
Info: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday for warming and charging services.
Somerset County
Jackman
Location: Forest Hills Consolidated School (606 Alt Main Trail).
Info: Open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Skowhegan
Location: Skowhegan Community Center Parks and Recreation Department (39 Poulin Drive).
Info: Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Call Somerset Communications Center at 207-474-6386 if you need assistance outside of hours. Ask to speak with the on-duty supervisor from the Skowhegan Police Department for assistance.
Waldo County
Belfast
Location: American Legion Hall (143 Church Street).
Info: Open 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Call 207-338-1202 for more information.
Brooks
Location: Varney Community Center (24 Veterans Highway).
Info: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Islesboro
Location: Islesboro Community Center (103 Pendleton Point Road).
Info: Open 24/7 on Friday and Saturday.
Thorndike
Location: Thorndike Fire Station (85 Gordon Hill Road).
Info: Open from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Unity
Location: Unity Community Center (32 School Street).
Info: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Washington County
Baileyville
Location: Baileyville Town Office (63 Broadway).
Info: Call dispatch at 207-427-6992 if the office is closed after 4 p.m. to be let in.
Calais
Location: DownEast Recovery Support Center (311 Main Street).
Info: Open Friday night into Saturday night. Call 207-259-6238 for more information.
Charlotte
Location: Charlotte Fire Station (1100 Ayers Junction Road).
Info: Open as needed Friday and Saturday for those without power. Rides are available as necessary by calling either the station directly at 454-8406 or: FF Sandy Sawyer at 207-454-2669 or cell 207-214-6048, Selectman and FF Ed Sawyer at 207-454-0550 or cell 207-214-4913, Capt. Jeff Orchard 207-454-3536, Chief Vincent Day 207-952-2602.
Cherryfield
Location: Weald Bethel Community Center on Seacoast Mission's campus (39 Weald Bethel Lane).
Info: Open Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tea, hot chocolate, and coffee will be available.
Dennysville
Location: Dennysville Snowmobile & ATV Club (24 Milwaukee Road).
Info: Open 24/7 will full facilities. Those who need a ride to the club may call 207-263-6306.
Jonesport
Location: Jonesport Fire Station (44 Main Street).
Info: Open Thursday evening through Sunday. Call 207-497-5702 for more information.
Ellsworth
Location: Healthy Acadia Warming Center (24 Church Street).
Info: Open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday-Friday through April. Additionally, the center will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. through February. Call 207-412-2288 for more information.
Lubec
Location: Lubec Fire Station (40 School Street).
Info: Open overnight on Friday.
Machias
Location: University of Maine Machias Reynolds-Murdoch Center (Dublin Street).
Info: Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. All admission fees will be waived.
Machias
Location: DownEast Recovery Support Center (11 Free Street).
Info: Open Friday night into Saturday night. Call 207-259-6238 for more information.
Pembrooke
Location: American Legion Hall (92 Front Street)
Info: Open Friday as needed. Call Milan Jamieson at 207-263-6867 or Legion at 207-726-1041 for access.
Princeton
Location: Princeton Firehouse (16 Mill Street).
Info: Open Friday and Saturday. Contact Fire Chief Tony Ramsdell at 207-952-2577 to be let in.
York County
Biddeford
Location: J. Richard Martin Community Center (189 Alfred Street).
Info: Open from 9 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday. Please use the Prospect Street entrance.
Cornish
Location: Cornish Fire Department (37 School Street).
Info: Opens Friday night and will remain open overnight. Residents can enter through the back door, and the meeting room will be available as a warming center.
Lebanon
Location: Lebanon Elementary School (65 Upper Guinea Road).
Info: Open 5 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday. ADA Accessible. For more information, call 207-608-3356 or 207-457-6556.
Limington
Location: Davis Memorial Library (928 Cape Road).
Info: Open 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Wi-Fi, books, and computers will be available.
Old Orchard Beach
Location: Old Orchard Beach Recreation Department (7 Ball Park Way).
Info: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Old Orchard Beach
Location: Old Orchard Beach Salvation Army (6 Circuit Street).
Info: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Saco
Location: The Unitarian Universalist Chuch (60 School Street).
Info: Open for 48 hours between Friday and Saturday.
Saco
Location: Saco Transportation Center (138 Main Street).
Info: Opens 5:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. every day as a heated public space; not a warming center.
Saco
Location: Saco Community Center (75 Franklin Street).
Info: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Enter through main entryway adjacent to large parking lot, and follow signs to warming center rooms. ADA accessible.
Sanford
Location: Sanford Memorial Gym (678 Main Street).
Info: Opens 12 p.m. Friday and will remain open until 12 p.m. on Sunday. Call 207-324-3644 option 1 for more information. ADA Accessible.
Wells
Location: Wells Safety Complex/Public Safety Building (1563 Post Road).
Info:
Open as needed. Call Wells Dispatch at 207-646-9354 before arriving or use lobby phone to contact dispatch upon arrival.
York
Location: York Village Fire Station (1 Firehouse Drive).
Info: Opens 4 p.m. on Friday and will remain open until 8 a.m. on Sunday. This shelter is not ADA accessible.
York Beach
Location: York Beach Fire Department (18 Railroad Avenue).
Info: Opens 4 p.m. on Friday and will remain open until 8 a.m. on Sunday. ADA Accessible.
Maine leaders are warning of possible dangerous temperatures during the upcoming weekend.
According to a news release issued by the Office of Gov. Janet Mills, "Maine is forecast to experience a level of extreme cold temperatures that only occurs about once every decade. The National Weather Service (NWS) Offices in Gray and Caribou report wind chills are expected to remain well below zero across the state for at least 48 hours beginning Friday morning. The potential exists for wind chills below -35F along the coast and below -45F in the foothills and mountains. High temperatures Saturday will remain below 0F in the mountains and in the single digits along the coast. River freeze-up jams are possible this weekend."
Frostbite and hypothermia are two real concerns due to frigid temperatures. Dr. Nirav Shah with the Maine CDC is advising those out in the cold to obtain shelter immediately.
"If you have to be outside this weekend, remember to take care, and dress for bitter cold weather. Frostbite and hypothermia are real risks when temperatures are this extreme," Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Nirav D. Shah said in the release. “If you start experiencing signs or symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia, it’s important to get inside immediately."
Both conditions can be avoided by wearing layered clothing, including gloves, hats, and proper footwear that will reduce skin exposure to the air, the Maine CDC recommended in the release. If you suspect you are experiencing frostbite or hypothermia, you should try to slowly rewarm yourself and immediately seek medical attention, the release stated.
To stay warm this weekend, the governor's office is recommending:
- "Avoid prolonged outdoor activities.
- In the event you become stranded in your car, your emergency car kit should have blankets, a first aid kit, food and water, a cellphone charge, and a flashlight with extra batteries.
- Prepare for power outages. If using a portable generator, always operate it outdoors and away from any open window. Ensure you have working smoke alarms and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors.
- Do safety checks on your elderly neighbors and those who are ill.
- Individuals with medical or life support devices should have extra batteries for medical equipment and assistive devices. Notify your utility company, local fire or police department if you need assistance.
- Do not leave your pet outside for extended periods of time. Provide shelter for livestock and be sure their water supply is not frozen."
In order to prevent pipes from freezing inside your home, the governor's office said you can:
- "If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep the garage doors closed.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sink is on an exterior wall.
- Leave your thermostat set to the same temperature during day and night - A cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat at night to save a few bucks on your heating bill."
It is not recommended to leave your home set to a temperature lower than 55 degrees if you are away during this time.
If you find that the pipes inside your home have frozen, the governor's office recommends:
- "Turning on the faucet because running water through the pipe, as cold as it is, will help melt any ice in the pipe.
- Applying heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, or a portable space heater that’s kept away from flammable materials. Do NOT use a blowtorch, a kerosene or propane heater, a charcoal stove, or any device with an open flame because high heat can damage the pipes or even start a fire."
It is recommended to apply heat until full water pressure has restored. If you are unable to locate or unthaw the pipe or are unsure of any additional frozen pipes in your home, please contact a plumber before continuing to avoid further damage.
This story may be updated as more centers open.
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