Detroit Opens Shelters Through Wednesday as Officials Declare Cold Weather Emergency

Detroit declared a cold weather health emergency. Shelters opened overnight through Wednesday afternoon. Temperatures plummeted into the teens Sunday, and single digits arrived Monday. Chief public health officer Denise Razo issued the declaration as subzero wind chills threatened to arrive Monday night.

The city worked with Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries to provide shelter at several sites. The Pope Francis Center at 2915 W. Hancock opened a stand-by facility Monday at 5 p.m. for single adults and will close Wednesday at noon.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries at 13130 Woodward Avenue accepts all household types through noon Wednesday. People can walk in or call the 24-7 housing resource helpline at 866-313-2520 to access the temporary overnight shelters.

Most recreation centers stayed closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Only two stayed open on the holiday: the Adams-Butzel Complex and Coleman A. Young Recreation Center.

Officials issued safety guidelines during these extreme conditions. Limit time outdoors. Wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.

Check on elderly neighbors, young children, and pets. Keep gas tanks full if you need to drive. Stock vehicles with emergency kits containing warm clothing, blankets, gloves, hats and phone chargers.

Temperatures struggled to climb above the teens Sunday. The frigid conditions will persist through at least Wednesday afternoon, when the emergency shelters are scheduled to close.