County issues cold weather alert for residents, advising that weather is expected to drop below -25°C Monday night
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Oxford County Public Health and Emergency Services are issuing a cold weather alert for county residents with bitterly cold wind chills forecasted for Monday evening.
Temperatures are expected to drop to -14°C Monday night, but with strong winds the wind chill factor will feel more like -26°C. Cold weather alerts are issued when Environment Canada forecasts an air temperature below -15°C or a wind chill below -20°C.
Conditions are expected to improve Tuesday, with the temperature rising to -7°C with a wind chill of -11°C.
During cold weather alerts residents are advised to take precautions to protect themselves from the cold to avoid complications, such as frostbite and hypothermia. The most vulnerable to the effects of the cold include older adults, infants and young children, outdoor workers, those who like outdoor sports, as well as homeless people and others who do not have shelter, proper clothing or food.
Inn Out of the Cold offers shelter to homeless adults during the winter months between 7 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. at Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 723 Dundas Street in Woodstock, and police must accompany those arriving after 11 p.m.
The Salvation Army in Woodstock’s Emergency Housing also provides temporary housing to families for a period of up to six weeks. This program can be reached by calling (519) 532-2649 and leaving a message.
For more information on Public Health’s extreme weather alerts visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/health, and for more information on emergency shelters call 211 or visit www.211ontario.ca.
Health and Emergency Services - Oxford County Public Health
Provides health protection and health promotion services in Oxford County.