Wood County officials outline warming station options ahead of frigid weather
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PARKERSBURG -- Wood County officials on Friday released information regarding warming stations in the community to help deal with the frigid temperatures forecast for the next several days.
In a statement issued Friday afternoon and posted to the Wood County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, Wood County Commission President Blair Couch said commissioners and representatives of the sheriff's department, Wood County Homeland Security/Emergency Management office and the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department on Thursday discussed "misinformation surrounding the availability of community options for warming centers in Wood County."
Danielle Johnson, a 37-year-old woman who'd been sleeping in a tent near Lakeview Center outside the Parkersburg city limits, was found deceased Tuesday after the man she shared the tent with discovered she was unresponsive and called 911. The sheriff's office reported the cold temperatures and alcohol were believed to be factors in her death. Her body was taken to the state medical examiner's office.
The incident resulted in concern among the community about the situation faced by homeless people in the area in the extreme cold.
Friday's statement from county officials said that "numerous churches and community facilities have opened their doors this week to those in need of shelter. None have reported turning people away due to overcrowding."
MOVHD Community Health and Threat Preparedness Director Malcolm Lanham said it's important for people to be aware of the various warming shelters in the area and the Health Department will share that information online at MOVHD.com.
In addition to that site, organizations are utilizing social media sites to keep the community informed about warming center and shelter availability, the statement said.
Churches and other organizations that open a warming center or overnight shelter are asked to contact Health Department Public Information Officer Amy Phelps at 304-588-9697 to share their location and hours, so that information can be provided to the public. They are also asked to notify the department if they reach capacity.
If the Health Department opens a warming center, they will work with the Wood County 911 Center to send out a countywide message via the Everbridge system.
The statement listed the following warming centers:
* The Gathering, 1005 14th St., Parkersburg
Opened Thursday at 9 p.m. for overnight stays.
Open for lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday; accepting donations.
* Salvation Army of Parkersburg, 534 Fifth St., Parkersburg.
Its warming center opens once the temperature is below 35 degrees; accepting donations.
From 1-3 p.m. Saturday, people can go to the warming center to apply for a voucher for a hotel room. Families and individuals with pets are encouraged to stop by. ID is required to receive a room at the hotel.
* Latrobe Street Mission, 1725 Latrobe St., Parkersburg.
The warming center only is open 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; accepting donations.
Overnight services are limited to three to five days, until the weather warms up or the individual finds somewhere else to stay. A person who spends five nights cannot use it again until after 15 days.
Meals provided are breakfast, 7:30 a.m.; lunch, 11:30 a.m.; and dinner, 5 or 6 p.m. daily.
* House to Home, 825 Seventh St., Parkersburg.
Hours have been extended during the cold weather at the day shelter; accepting donations.
* First Christian Church, 1400 Washington Ave., Parkersburg.
Space is available overnight for those who have a pet. Dogs must be crated and carried to and from the crate. People must call before 6 p.m. to check in. A phone number had not yet been listed.
The statement signed by Couch also noted people can contact the 911 Center's non-emergency line at 304-485-8501.