UPDATED: Despite Temps Expected in Mid-20s, East Prov Closes “Extreme Weather” Shelter

UPDATED: Despite Temps Expected in Mid-20s, East Prov Closes “Extreme Weather” Shelter

The City of East Providence announced on Sunday afternoon that it was closing its “extreme weather”  shelter effective immediately.

 

“...will close our temporary extreme weather overnight warming shelter at the Robert E. Rock Senior Center tonight, Sunday, January 12, 2024,” said the city in a press release.

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GoLocal asked why the shelter was being closed; Mayor Bob Silva’s spokesperson, Matthew Paddock, said, “The temporary extreme weather warming shelter, a pop-up shelter in our senior center, is closed for tonight and will reopen during periods of extreme cold temperatures.”

 

The National Weather Service forecasts that the overnight temperature in East Providence will be a low of 24 degrees.

 

GoLocal asked Paddock what the criteria is for closing the shelter, and what defines “extreme weather.”

 

Paddock said, "The City of East Providence is defining extreme temperature as 20 degrees or below over an extended period of time, which would prompt us to open the temporary extreme weather shelter. The city’s intention is to operate a temporary, popup extreme weather shelter in order to address the needs of our unhoused East Providence community. The temporary extreme temperature warming shelter has been staffed by both the City of East Providence employees and community volunteers."

 

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, "For homeless individuals, a dangerous temperature for hypothermia risk can be considered as low as the mid-40s Fahrenheit (around 4°C), especially when combined with wet conditions or inadequate clothing, as even temperatures above freezing can lead to hypothermia if someone is not properly protected from the cold."

 

Monday night's low is expected to be 24 degrees.

 

Temperatures are expected to be lower than 20 degrees on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, according to the National Weather Service. Wednesday's overnight low in East Providence is expected to be 14 degrees.

 

This story was updated on 1/13/25 at 2:12 AM.