HANCOCK COUNTY — County residents need to be prepared for a dangerous, sharp change in the weather as the coldest air of the season descends on the area this weekend.
The arctic blast is expected to push temperatures to near zero on Saturday night, with wind-chill readings into Sunday making it feel much colder. High temperatures for much of next week will struggle to make it into the 20s, making for a stretch of several days during which vulnerable people will be even more at risk.
The frigid conditions will present a variety of challenges, from threats to pets left outdoors to frostbite to exposed skin to fires from inadequate use of space heaters.
The situation will be critical for the area’s homeless population and those without adequate heat, who may not be able to find shelter as easily as in the past.
Jim Peters, coordinator for the local Community Organizations Active in Disaster group who is also active in the local Salvation Army, said that so far, they will not be able to open a warming center as a refuge. Organizers in past winters were able to open a space at First Presbyterian Church, 116 W. South St., but the building is no longer available because it was sold.
“Unfortunately, with the sale of the church and other changes, we have no facility at this time for a warming center in Hancock County,” Peters said.
COVID-19 concerns also complicate the situation.
Peters has reached out to several county organizations, but has had no luck to date in finding an alternative place for people to get out of the cold. They’re recommending people in need of shelter start looking now in Marion or Madison counties. Also, the Salvation Army of Shelbyville will open a round-the-clock warming center on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 136 E. Washington St. People who want to stay there are encouraged to visit by 4 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 5) to pre-register, the organization said in a news release, noting that rapid COVID tests will be administered.
Andrea Mallory, executive director of Hancock Hope House, said the shelter is nearly full but is ready to assist with provisions.
“We’ve offered to help out however we can and will help with blankets, clothes and a winter care kit we will put together and have ready if people need them,” Mallory said. “We’ve got plenty of clothes to keep people warm.”
Jill Ebbert, executive director of the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, 202 E. Main St., said the soup kitchen will remain closed except for providing meals at curbside during normal serving hours, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
The facility in the past has been a daytime haven for people in extremely cold weather.
“I wish I could say we could do things differently, but because of COVID we need to stay locked down,” Ebbert said. “It’s hard and very disturbing because I know there will be people out there in the cold who may die.”
Anyone with questions or concerns about someone who may be affected by cold weather can call the county dispatch center at 317-477-4400. The dispatchers will take the information and get the most appropriate resource to respond, said Greg Duda, public information officer for Hancock County Emergency Management.
“Whether it be a police officer checking on your neighbor, the fire department tending to a person with cold exposure, or warming options for someone experiencing a heat emergency; we will get them the best resource available,” Duda said.
Capt. Chuck McMichael, public information officer for the Greenfield Police Department, encouraged residents to keep an eye out for elderly neighbors and others who are vulnerable.
“Watch for people they know to be homeless and reach out to us if they are in danger due to the weather,” McMichael said. “We will do everything we can to get them into a safe place.”
Residents are also reminded to bring their animals inside or provide them safe shelter that will keep them warm and blocked from the wind. Those with concerns about animal welfare can call animal management at 317-477-4367.
Keeping your car running
Many people will wake up this weekend to discover car trouble.
James Simmons of Simmons Automotive, 1138 E. Main St., noted if people can park their cars inside garages, it will reduce the possibility of problems. Simmons said well-charged batteries are important. People can go to auto repair shops or auto parts stores to have their car batteries checked, he suggested. Any battery over 5 years old is probably suspect.
Simmons said drivers can take other, simple precautions.
“People need to keep all their oil and antifreeze full,” Simmons said. “Clean oil will help a lot on an engine.”
Protect your furnace, plumbing
The cold will also stress furnaces and plumbing.
Installing a fresh filter is a good idea this weekend, experts said. And care should be taken to be sure water pipes near outside walls don’t freeze.
Adam Boyer from S&S Heating and Air Conditioning, 404 E. Main St. Greenfield, said it’s also a good idea to keep the fan on your air-handling system running constantly if possible. The reason? Simple science.
“Having your fan on means it’s always circulating air,” Boyer said. “That will maximize the heat, because heat automatically rises to the top so it’s not as good if it’s just up there sitting. With the fan on it, will pick that heat up and circulate it throughout the house.”
While it might be tempting to have a nice fire roaring in the fireplace, some homes will lose more heat up the chimney than a fire might produce.
“Now, if your furnace goes out and you’ve got a fireplace, use it, because something is better than nothing,” Boyer said.
Great care should be taken with space heaters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of house fires, and more than half of all deaths in house fires resulted from fires that began when heating equipment was too close to flammable material.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that portable electric heaters are involved in about 1,100 fires per year, resulting in about 50 deaths, dozens of injuries and millions of dollars in property loss, Eskenazi Health said in a news release Thursday.
It’s important to always give space heaters extra room and keep children away from them.
Emily Gross, marketing representative for Jakes Heating Air and Plumbing, said people can take some simple steps to be sure their pipes don’t freeze and burst, which can lead to expensive repairs.
“People can open cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks and let the heat get in there on the pipes,” Gross said.
Experts also recommend setting the faucets to drip or trickle so water runs continuously through the pipes.
COLD-RELATED DANGERS
Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees. It can kill. Warning signs include uncontrollable shivering; memory loss; disorientation; incoherent, slurred speech; drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. If medical care is not available, it’s important to warm the person’s body starting with the body core, not the arms or legs. Get the person into dry clothing, and wrap them in a warm blanket covering the head and neck. Warm broth is the best food to offer first.
Frostbite starts when exposed skin becomes very cold and red, then numb, hard and pale. Additional symptoms include a tingling sensation, followed by numbness on the affected area. Wearing layers of garments that will keep moisture away from your skin is important. People should always wear a hat or hood that fully covers the ears. Mittens are better than gloves for keeping hands warmer. Physicians do not recommend rubbing the affected area; that may damage the tissue further. Instead, cover it with a sterile dressing and monitor it for improvement. Consult a doctor if the condition doesn’t improve.
Sources: Hancock County Emergency Center; Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health
