Metro Atlanta warming centers open ahead of winter weather

ATLANTA — Some local governments and agencies in metro Atlanta are opening warm places for those who need help getting out of the winter weather.

Parts of metro Atlanta are under an ice warning, with the hazardous weather arriving this weekend, Severe Weather Team 2 reports.

Here are the warming centers available so far:

Clayton County

The locations listed below will remain open to Clayton County residents Saturday - Wednesday morning during the designated times.

The overnight locations operating hours 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.:

Now Faith Apostolic Ministries, 3406 Rex Road, Rex
Clayton County Police Department Headquarters Media Room, 7911 North McDonough St., Jonesboro, MARTA Bus Route #198

Overnight hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. to Monday 8 a.m.:

Forest Park Recreation & Leisure Center, 803 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, MARTA Bus Route #193. Forest Park Rec Center’s regular hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday - Friday

DeKalb County

DeKalb County will activate warming centers beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday:

Exchange Park Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Dr., Decatur
Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta
St. Vincent de Paul, 2050-C Chamblee Tucker Rd, Chamblee
Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Dr, Scottdale, GA 30079

To support the early morning activation time, revised transportation pickups will be conducted only on Sunday, beginning in the 7 a.m. hour. These times are reversed from the standard evening schedule to accommodate the 6 a.m. warming center opening. All transportation routes originate from Frontline Response Headquarters (2585 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta).

Gilmer County

The warming center will open at 5 p.m. Friday to anyone in need of a warm place for the night:

Gilmer County Civic Center, 1561 South Main Street in Ellijay

Enter on the left through the doors by the courts. It will close the next morning at 7 am. You must arrive by 9 p.m. and lights are out at 10 p.m. Dinner and breakfast will be offered. Pets are welcome and will be fed and kenneled on arrival.

Guest rules are posted the Facebook page.

Those who would like to provide assistance to this ministry, please see our needs listed on the Facebook page or contact Rachel Tarr, (770) 316-4934) or Jackie Watson (404) 909-3275.

Gwinnett County

Gwinnett County will operate five warming stations beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours:

Best Friend Park Gymnasium in Norcross
Buford Senior Center in Buford
Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road in Snellville
Lawrenceville Senior Center in Lawrenceville
Shorty Howell Park Activity Building in Duluth

At this time, we anticipate the warming stations will remain open through Monday, at 9:30 a.m., but that may change as needed.

Gwinnett County will also continue to operate our 24/7 One Stop for Help phone line. Residents who need help accessing resources for non-emergency situations are encouraged to call 770-822-8850.

Hall County

Hall County Parks and Leisure will open the North Hall Community Center as a warming center beginning at noon on Saturday to provide basic services for community members who may lose access to heat or electricity.

The North Hall Community Center, located at 4175 Nopone Road, Gainesville will remain open as a warming center through Sunday, and a decision on extending operations through Monday will be made later, based on conditions.

The center will be open for basic services only and should not be considered a full-use or recreation site. The public library located within the facility will not be open during warming center operations. On-site personnel are not equipped to provide medical or emergency services. Emergencies should be reported by calling 911.

The warming center will offer basic amenities only, including warm indoor space, access to electricity, access to water fountains and restrooms

This location is best suited for residents who may face prolonged power outages, need to charge medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators or CPAP devices and for short-term warming during outages.

Important notes:

Overnight stays are permitted; however, no sleeping accommodations will be provided.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Pets are not permitted, except for service animals.
Individuals should bring any necessary cords, supplies, medications, and personal support needed to operate their medical equipment.
Please bring water bottles, as water fountains will be available.
Bring snacks or food that does not require refrigeration or cooking.
Bring essential personal items only.
Be mindful of limited space; services are available as space allows.
Entry and continued access are subject to space availability.

All other Hall County Parks community centers will remain closed Saturday and Sunday.

South Fulton

The warming center will be open 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Saturday to Monday, with the potential for extended operations depending on weather conditions:

Burdett Park Warming Center, 2945 Burdett Rd, College Park

White County

White County will open a shelter Saturday morning for individuals and families who have factors that limit their ability to safely shelter in place during the winter storm. This also includes residents with medical devices requiring electricity, such as those who rely on home oxygen.

Registration is required to request shelter space at whitecountyga.gov/shelterrequest. be ready to report to the shelter location by 1 p.m. Saturday, and be prepared for a stay of up to four days, as conditions may deteriorate rapidly after that. After your sheltering request is submitted, you will be contacted with further instructions.

If you cannot fill out the online form, call the White County Emergency Operations Center at 770-865-9800 for assistance.

Shelter occupants must bring all items needed for the duration of their stay, including changes of clothing, personal hygiene items, medications, diapers and supplies for children, snacks, baby food, formula, required medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators, medications and other necessary medical supplies. These items will not be provided, and supplies cannot be delivered before sheltering operations.

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