Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) has issued a hazardous weather advisory for Wednesday, Feb. 18 and Thursday, Feb. 19, due to forecasted below-freezing nighttime temperatures in the region.
The advisory increases shelter-in-place efforts and extends overnight shelter capacity within Thurston County.
PHSS announced the advisory on Tuesday, Feb. 17, after the National Weather Service issued a forecast predicting below-freezing nighttime temperatures, with possible sleet and snow, beginning later in the week.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service predicted a nighttime low of 29 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, Feb. 18 and 26 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday, Feb. 19. Nighttime temperatures are expected to rise back to the 30s on Friday. A mix of rain and snow is forecast throughout the week.
“Extreme cold temperatures are dangerous for those without shelter,” PHSS said in a news release on Tuesday.
With the hazardous weather advisory in place, Olympia Mutual Aid Partners (OlyMap) will increase distribution of survival supplies to individuals and families living outside.
Overnight emergency shelter will also be available for unsheltered adults over the age of 18 at Sergio’s Place, starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 and Thursday, Feb. 19.
The shelter guest entrance for Sergio’s Place is located at 3444 Martin Way Northeast. Pets are welcome. Call 360-706-2287 for more information.
Those who are pregnant and families with children under the age 18 can seek nightly shelter at Pear Blossom Place, located at 837 7th Avenue Southeast in Olympia. Ring doorbell for the entrance.
Shelter for youth and young adults ages 24 and under is available at Rosie’s Place, located at 520 Pear Street Southeast in Olympia. Call 360-918-7879 to sign up on weekdays starting at 9 a.m. The shelter itself is open nightly from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Other overnight shelter options are available at Union Gospel Mission for single adults and St. Michael’s Parish and Sacred Heart for single men.
For more information on available shelters, contact the Thurston County Shelter Hotline at 1-844-628-7343.
Cold weather donations needed at Sergio’s Place and OlyMap
Interfaith Works accepts donations Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the donation collection entrance to Sergio’s Place, 3501 Mary Elder Road Northeast. No parking is allowed on Martin Way.
Needed items include blankets, twin/single bed sheets, ramen, non-perishable snacks, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, hot tea, hot chocolate, disposable cups and utensils, socks, long johns, underwear, tarps, ponchos, hand warmers, sleeping bags, tents, gloves/mittens, hats and warm clothing.
To volunteer for Interfaith Works, visit their website at https://www.interfaith-works.org/volunteer
OlyMap accepts donations Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at their office in the basement of First Christian Church at 701 Franklin Street in Olympia. Drop off donations at the OlyMap office underneath the stairs, below the sanctuary.
Needed items include ramen and cup-of-soups, non-perishable snacks, handwarmers, socks, long johns, underwear, ponchos, hats, gloves/mittens, warm clothing, tarps, blankets, sleeping bags, buddy heaters and green propane tanks.
To join OlyMap as a volunteer, submit a volunteer application at https://www.olymap.org/volunteer
