MA Arctic Blast: Help For Vulnerable People In Extreme Cold

WORCESTER, MA — Counting wind chill, temperatures may drop well below zero on Tuesday as arctic air slams into the region. Temperatures that low can lead to frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, posing a grave threat to the scores of people in the area who live outdoors.

Social service agencies and police will be out between Worcester and Framingham trying to move people indoors. But there are always ways local residents can help individuals find shelter to survive the weather.

At the macro level, residents across Massachusetts can dial the United Way help line 211 to find help for people in need. There's also a network of local shelters open and ready to accept people during the coldest overnight hours.

Worcester's quality-of-life team will be out conducting wellness checks beginning Monday night, and will deliver hats, gloves, scarves, shoes and other gear to people living outdoors, a city spokesman said on Monday.

Apart from that effort, the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) operates the Queen Street Shelter in Worcester, which local residents can contact at (508) 872-4853. The Hotel Grace emergency shelter at 44 Vernon St. is open 24/7 through May.

For people who identify as women, HARBOR (Healthcare, Advocacy, Room, Board, Outreach, Rehousing) offers beds and operates as a warming center. Call HARBOR at (508) 556-610. Abby's House opens nightly at 5:30 p.m. for women and children, but has extremely limited space. Call (508) 756-5486 x230 to find out if there's space available.

In Milford, the Pathway to a Better Life shelter opens whenever temperatures drop below 30 degrees. Founder Lisa Trusas said the shelter will be open beginning Monday night. The shelter is located at Trinity Episcopal Church, 17 Congress St.

In the Framingham area, SMOC operates three main emergency shelters for men and women. These facilities are open to people from across the region, from Natick to Marlborough and beyond. You can call the shelters directly if you find someone in need of a bed:

• Turning Point Shelter, 3 Merchant Road, Framingham — (508) 875-6429
• Roland's House (men's shelter), Marlborough — (508) 481-7847
• SHADOWS Women's Shelter, Ashland — (508) 620-2690

During daytime hours (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), the Framingham Public Library operates a hotline that residents can call to find resources, including social services: (508) 532-5411. Library Director Lena Kilburn also said the library is open as a warming center this week for anyone who needs it.

Calling 911 is also an option in Framingham because police have special teams of officers and social workers that respond to people in crisis. People who need help can also call the department's main number at (508) 872-1212.

Other resources

For people who live in rental properties, state law requires landlords to keep units at least 64 degrees at night and at least 68 degrees during the day between Sept. 15 and June 15.

For seniors and the disabled who need help in extreme weather, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency recommends dialing 211 or contacting your local council on aging. 211 is staffed 24/7.

Pets, animals in distress

The cold snap may also endanger animals who either live outdoors or whose owners leave them outside. Dr. Emily McCobb, director of the shelter medicine program at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, said residents should call their local animal control officer for animals in distress.

"Citizens should use caution approaching stray or injured animals, but if they have a friendly animal that they are housing or feeding, they should consider bringing it inside when the weather gets to be extreme," she said.

If an animal's owner has left it out in the cold, McCobb said to call humane law enforcement: either the MSPCA (617) 522-6008) or the Animal Rescue League of Boston (617) 226-5610.

Short cold snap

This week's arctic blast will be relatively short.

The latest National Weather Service forecast for Tuesday calls for wind chills between minus 11 and minus 8 between Worcester and Framingham. The high will be around 10 without wind chill, and will drop to 7 degrees on Tuesday night.

Temperatures should rebound by Wednesday, when daytime highs will hit 34, and then near 40 on Thursday, according to the weather service.