After several days of beautiful, warm weather, Mother Nature struck back with bitterly cold winds once again Thursday, resulting in the City of Greater Sudbury issuing another extreme cold weather alert.
The alert will remain in place until at least Friday morning as temperatures dipped to minus 15 Celsius and much colder with the wind chill factored in.
The cold weather alert is a short-term emergency response to increase services for people who are especially vulnerable to intensely cold weather conditions. People on the street will be encouraged to voluntarily access shelters and services, but individuals at risk due to low temperatures in their homes are also eligible for all services.
Local shelters like Foyer Notre Dame and Salvation Army Centre will increase capacity where possible and exercise leniency in curfews.
The Elgin Street Mission daytime drop-in centre will also extend its hours to offer full overnight service.
Outreach workers will patrol streets and provide transportation for street people to shelters. Workers will be equipped with extra clothing, blankets and coffee for those who refuse access to shelters.
A hotline has been established to direct callers to appropriate shelters and services. That line can be accessed at 675-6422.
