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In anticipation of the extremely cold weather arriving this weekend, the City of Cambridge is making the following preparations , along with community agency partners :

The various shelters in the city will be expanding capacity overnight Friday (2/3) and Saturday (2/4). Many shelters will also be operating during daytime hours to allow residents to stay and to allow additional individuals to access (where possible) during the day.

The City's Winter Warming Center , located in the basement of the Cambridge Senior Center (806 Massachusetts Ave nue ) ,  will stay open during the day on Saturday (2/4). Guests should use the entrance on Green Street to access the building.

The Salvation Army’s Drop-in Center, 402 Massachusetts Avenue, will extend hours and will be open from 9 a. m.-4 p.m. on Friday (2/3) and Saturday (2/4).

The First Step Street Outreach team will be operating between 2  p.m. and Midnight both Friday (2/3) and Saturday (2/4). They will transport people who are willing to go inside and will provide resources to those who do not wish to go inside. Members of the public who see unsheltered persons in Cambridge they are concerned about can call the First Step team at 617-592-6895 or call 911 for a medical emergency.

Cambridge F ire Department will be increasing staffing on all engines and ladder trucks from 7 p.m. Friday (2/3) through 7 a.m. Sunday (2/5). P aramedic units will be engaging people who need assistance , providing info rmation about warming centers , and help ing facilitate transportation as needed.

Cambridge  Police Department is coordinating with its partners to bring in two additional Outreach Officers Saturday morning and evening (2/4) to attempt to locate anyone who may need to get indoors.  The Cambridge Police Department lobby at 125 Sixth Street is also open for people who need a place to escape the cold. Cambridge Public Libraries are open the following hours and everyone is welcome to stay for as long as they want during open hours:

Friday, Feb. 3: Main Library 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Boudreau Branch, Central Square Branch, Collins Branch, O’Connell Branch, O’Neill Branch, Valente Branch are all open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 4: Main Library 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Square Branch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Valente Branch 1-5 p.m. O’Neill Branch 1-5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 5: Main Library 1-5 p.m.

Watch for Signs of Cold-Related Illness

Extreme cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is the freezing of the skin and body tissue. 

Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature and is life-threatening.

Heating Safety In case you lose heat, make sure you have extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm winter coats in your home. Never turn on the stove for heat. If you plan to use a portable space heater or fireplace, here are some tips: Space Heater

More Information Stay Safe During and After a Storm (CDC) What You Can Do During Extreme Cold Weather (Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health) Severe Weather and Heating Safety Tips (US Fire Administration)

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