Post by kelvin on Jan 4, 2009 22:32:47 GMT -5
www.citynews.ca/news/news_30634.aspx
It seems like the New Year is starting how the last one ended: With an extreme cold weather alert.
The city of Toronto put out its last warning on December 31, just in time for revelers set to head out for the biggest party of 2008.
Three days into 2009, they've issued the notice once again.
The extreme cold weather alert helps most of us prepare for the frigid temperatures, whether that means dressing more warmly before venturing out or staying inside altogether and cranking up the fireplace.
But for the city's most vulnerable, it's a way to get off the streets.
Because of the warning, outreach workers will be on the street in greater numbers than usual, urging the homeless inside to temporary, warm shelters.
Their efforts include transportation, like TTC tokens, and opening up extra beds: 160 spaces, to be exact. And those shelters also relax their service restrictions.
It's all in the name of preventing serious injury or death from exposure to the harsh elements.
An alert is called when Environment Canada:
* predicts a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius or lower, without wind chill
* issues a wind chill warning for outdoor activity for people in the Toronto area
* predicts extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard, ice storm or sudden drops in temperature.
How to get an emergency shelter bed:
* Adults and youth requiring a shelter bed should call 416-338-4766, 24 hours
* Families needing emergency shelter should call Central Family Intake 416-397-5637, 24 hours.
It seems like the New Year is starting how the last one ended: With an extreme cold weather alert.
The city of Toronto put out its last warning on December 31, just in time for revelers set to head out for the biggest party of 2008.
Three days into 2009, they've issued the notice once again.
The extreme cold weather alert helps most of us prepare for the frigid temperatures, whether that means dressing more warmly before venturing out or staying inside altogether and cranking up the fireplace.
But for the city's most vulnerable, it's a way to get off the streets.
Because of the warning, outreach workers will be on the street in greater numbers than usual, urging the homeless inside to temporary, warm shelters.
Their efforts include transportation, like TTC tokens, and opening up extra beds: 160 spaces, to be exact. And those shelters also relax their service restrictions.
It's all in the name of preventing serious injury or death from exposure to the harsh elements.
An alert is called when Environment Canada:
* predicts a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius or lower, without wind chill
* issues a wind chill warning for outdoor activity for people in the Toronto area
* predicts extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard, ice storm or sudden drops in temperature.
How to get an emergency shelter bed:
* Adults and youth requiring a shelter bed should call 416-338-4766, 24 hours
* Families needing emergency shelter should call Central Family Intake 416-397-5637, 24 hours.