Advertisement

Edmonton activates extreme weather response with overnight transit to shelters

Click to play video: 'Edmonton activates extreme weather response as -30 temperatures move in'
Edmonton activates extreme weather response as -30 temperatures move in
A deep freeze is descending upon Edmonton, with daytime highs in the -20s and overnight lows dipping to the -30s. The city is activating its extreme weather response to help the homeless, and aid agencies are preparing. Nicole Stillger explains what the plan is. – Feb 4, 2021

UPDATE: On Feb. 10, the city extended the extreme weather response until Tuesday, Feb. 16. The decision was made after reviewing the Environment Canada forecast, shelter capacity and usage of the overnight bus service provided by ETS, the city said.
There will be at least three days’ notice before the extreme weather response is deactivated.

Effective Thursday, the City of Edmonton activated its extreme weather response.

That means two ETS bus loops will be operating overnight, travelling between emergency shelters, transit centres and other key locations.

“Community agency staff will be onboard each bus to provide support, including screening community members for COVID-19, providing masks to those who cannot supply their own, and determining the most appropriate shelter to meet individual needs,” says a statement on Homeward Trust’s website.

Story continues below advertisement

The ETS buses will take a north loop and a south loop. The service runs 10:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.

The service is free, Homeward Trust said.

“During this activation, ETS will also continue its practice of picking up passengers at most stops when the weather is -20C and below with wind chill.”

The extreme weather response will run a minimum of three consecutive nights and, based on the weather forecast, may continue until Feb. 13.

“The activation may include other measures if conditions call for it, and will be added as necessary.”

The forecast has Edmonton plunging to lows of -29 C on Friday and -36 C Saturday and Sunday.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Forecast highs for the next five days range from -20 C to -25 C.

Click to play video: 'Edmonton weather forecast: Thursday, February 4, 2021'
Edmonton weather forecast: Thursday, February 4, 2021

“Those of us who have homes and have places where we can shelter, we get a break from the cold,” said Scarlet Bjornsen with the Bissell Centre. “The homeless population — they don’t get a break from that cold.

Story continues below advertisement

“It’s very isolating, it’s very hard. It presents way more challenges.”

The Bissell Centre has increased its capacity from 300 to 350 during the cold snap but the shelter is still at capacity. That’s why the overnight bus service and other 24/7 shuttles are crucial, Bjornsen said.

“Transportation is also challenging for people who are experiencing homelessness,” she said. “If you arrive at the shelter and they don’t have space or capacity for you to be there, you have to make your way to another shelter.”

Bjornsen urges anyone who sees somebody outside in distress to call 211.

“There will be a crisis team that will make their way to that person as soon as possible and get them to warmth and get them to safety.”

Click to play video: 'City of Edmonton’s director of housing and homelessness on extreme cold weather plans'
City of Edmonton’s director of housing and homelessness on extreme cold weather plans

The Bissell Centre is in need of warm gloves, jackets and menswear. More information about donating winter clothes and other goods is available here.

Story continues below advertisement

“We’re always going to want to do our very best to keep community members warm and safe and so our number one priority when cold weather hits is making sure they have appropriate clothing,” Bjornsen said.

In a news release, the city said beds are still available in some shelters and overall, the system has capacity. However, more spaces are being added to increase the total number of beds available.

Mustard Seed, which is now operating shelters at CESSCO Warehouse and the Moravian Church, will also open Trinity Lutheran Church as additional overnight shelter space for 40 individuals.

Al Rashid Mosque will also provide 72 shelter spaces for the duration of the extreme weather response.

Click to play video: 'Edmonton bracing for extremely cold weather'
Edmonton bracing for extremely cold weather

Sponsored content

AdChoices