Columbus shivered through the first day of two days of predicted arctic wind chill with only minor issues involving shelter and power outages.
Kelly Daugherty, newly-appointed executive director of Love Chapel, said the agency had no problems with housing 36 individuals at Brighter Days emergency housing facility Tuesday night when the polar vortex arrived in Columbus.
Temperatures plunged to as low as minus-5 degrees early Wednesday morning, and windchills were estimated at between minus-20 to minus-30 degrees as wind speed picked up overnight and into the morning hours.
The conditions were so brutal that area schools announced closures on Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. Postal Service suspended delivery on Wednesday and today and many churches canceled evening services and events.
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Daugherty said the 36 guests at Brighter Days did not represent a record number of individuals for the facility, as that still stands at 38. However, the male side of the gender-separated dormitory rooms was full with 25 men, he said.
“Everything was fine, though — and we have an overflow room if needed,” Daugherty said. “We were able to meet everyone’s needs.”
Brighter Days had made arrangements with the city to assist if any families were in need of housing, but that didn’t occur, Daugherty said.
Love Chapel made plans and offered meals at Brighter Days so that individuals who are accustomed to going to meal sites at various locations around the community could stay indoors rather than travel elsewhere for food.
Only one person was in the city’s warming center at Donner Center at 22nd and Sycamore streets on Wednesday, officials there said. The warming center was scheduled to be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
A few power outages, only one or two houses at a time, were reported Wednesday in Bartholomew County by Duke Energy, caused by tree limbs falling on power lines, said Chip Orben, Duke Energy spokesman.
“We’re hoping the worst of the wind is done,” Orben said of the 30 mph wind gusts the utility registered on Wednesday, which resulted in some brittle tree limbs falling on power lines.
Most of the major outages were reported in the Noblesville area in Hamilton County, which were caused by an electrical load problem that was expected to be corrected by 11 a.m. Wednesday, Orben said.
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City offers warming area
Columbus will offer Donner Center as a warming center during the extreme cold weather expected in the area through today. Donner Center is located at 22nd and Sycamore streets.
The warming center will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
Individuals using the warming center must comply with all Donner Center rules and policies and adhere to the following guidelines:
- Please bring your own reading material and other personal items you require. Amplified sound devices are prohibited.
- Please supply your own snacks. A water fountain is available for public use on the premises.
- Please note that there are no medical services provided at Donner Center.
For more information, contact Donner Center at 812-376-2680.
Report power outages
Duke Energy is providing customers with a toll-free number to report power outages during the arctic cold predicted through today.
Customers should call 800-343-3525 to report outages. Duke Energy released a statement that the company has generation resources to meet customer energy needs, but sometimes higher-than-normal power demand can lead to power outages because of overworked equipment that fails. The company said it is prepared to respond if that occurs and are monitoring system conditions closely while updating the status of the electric grid.
Shelter for homeless
Anyone without shelter in Columbus or Bartholomew County should go to the Community Engagement Center at 1951 McKinley Ave. for daytime shelter, or Brighter Days Housing, 421 S. Mapleton St., for overnight shelter.
A bus will be provided to shuttle guests from each location so there is a seamless transition to keep individuals safe.
Hope sets up shelters
Two churches in Hope, the Methodist and Baptist, have agreed to serve as warming shelters on Wednesday and Thursday. If the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. cancels school, the school complex may also be used as a shelter.
Jennings County shelter
The Country Squire Lakes Clubhouse will be the shelter for Jennings County residents through today. Pets are not allowed unless they are a service animal. Anyone needing a ride to the shelter should call 812-346-7841.
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The National Weather Service is continuing its wind chill warning until 1 p.m. today for Columbus and Bartholomew County.
Wind chills of 20 to 45 degrees below zero are possible early this morning, according to forecasters.
Temperatures are expected to gradually warm through today with temperatures in the weekend reaching the 40-degree range.
Source: National Weather Service
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