Several public agencies in Springfield have issued guidance to help residents prepare for severe winter weather, with forecasts predicting 2-4 inches of snow and wind chills as low as -30 degrees from Thursday through Saturday.
Larry Woods, Director of the Springfield-Greene County Office of Emergency Management, emphasized the importance of preparation. “Make sure residences and vehicles are winterized, because as we know, nothing works well when it’s this cold. Consider modifying your travel plans and definitely limit your exposure to this weather. Frostbite and hypothermia can happen very quickly,” he said.
The City’s Public Works Department and MODOT will have snowplow trucks ready with salt to treat roadways during the storm. They plan to pretreat roads unless rain is forecasted before the snowfall. Both agencies urge residents to stay off the roads if possible. Joel Alexander, spokesperson for City Utilities, stated that crews are prepared to respond quickly to any power outages.
The Springfield Fire Department provided recommendations for staying safe while heating homes:
– Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom.
– Test carbon monoxide alarms monthly.
– Do not leave space heaters unattended.
– Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources.
– Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an outlet at a time; avoid using power strips or surge protectors.
– Use kerosene heaters only in well-ventilated areas with proper fuel, never refueling indoors or while hot.
– Turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.
– Have chimneys and vents cleaned annually by professionals.
– Store fireplace ashes in metal containers at least ten feet from buildings.
Michelle Garand, Vice President of Community Partnership of the Ozarks, noted that crisis cold weather shelters will double their capacity Thursday through Saturday due to the extreme forecast. Updates on shelter availability are available via the sheltersgf app, https://cpozarks.org/programs/ccws/, or on Facebook under Crisis Cold Weather Shelter Updates.
Springfield has six overnight shelters that open when temperatures drop below 32 degrees. The Connecting Grounds’ church building offers nightly shelter for four families throughout winter regardless of temperature.
Individuals seeking shelter should go to Grace United Methodist Church at 600 S. Jefferson Ave. between 5 and 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday or Springfield Expo Center at 635 E St Louis St starting at noon on Thursday and 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. A hot meal is provided, and buses transport people to shelters at 6:30 p.m.
Shelter locations include:
– East Sunshine Church of Christ (up to 50 men)
– Grace United Methodist Church (up to 20 women)
– Asbury United Methodist Church (up to 35 individuals and pets)
– Unity of Springfield Church (up to 22 individuals)
– Sacred Heart Catholic Church (up to 25 men)
– Eden Village I community building (up to 25 individuals and pets)
– YouthConnect Center (up to 8 youth aged 13–18)
Other facilities providing shelter include The Salvation Army Harbor House, The Venues (2616 E. Battlefield), National Avenue Christian Church (1515 S. National), St. John’s Episcopal Church (515 E. Division), and St. John’s United Church of Christ (1110 N. Main).
Additional churches will serve as supplemental shelters Thursday through Saturday:
– St. John’s Chapel at 4344 S. Fremont Ave., all-gender shelter for up to 15 people
– Brentwood Christian Church at 1900 E. Barataria St., all-gender shelter for up to 20 individuals and pets; open during daytime Friday and Saturday
– The Venues at 425 W. Walnut, all-gender shelter for up to 20 people on Thursday and Saturday nights
– Freedom City Church at 1477 N. Broadway for up to 20 people
Daytime warming centers include:
– Springfield Expo Center – The Connecting Grounds (635 E St Louis St), open from noon Thursday until evening; open daily from 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Dec. 23–24
– Veterans Coming Home Center (806 N Jefferson Ave.), open Friday from 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Saturday/Sunday from noon–4:30 p.m.
– Salvation Army (1707 W Chestnut Expressway), open Thursday/Friday from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Harbor House (636 N Boonville Ave.) open Friday–Sunday from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Library branches will operate with adjusted hours due to weather conditions but will be closed December 24–26.
Volunteers interested in staffing shelters can find information at https://www.theconnectinggrounds.com/cold-weather-response.
For ongoing updates about shelters or closures:
— Download the Shelter SGF App
— Visit Crisis Cold Weather Shelter Facebook Page
— Call daily update line: 417-605-3007
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department will distribute COVID prevention kits at area overnight cold weather shelters; these kits aim to reduce respiratory illness transmission among guests.
