Emergency Extreme Weather Warming Center open nightly

posted on: 12/19/2020; updated: 12/21/2020

The Strafford County Emergency Extreme Weather Warming Center at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth is now open nightly, through the end of the year.

The warming center opens each night at 5 p.m. and closes at 9 a.m. the following morning, through Thursday, Dec. 31. Staffing for operations is provided by the Strafford County Integrated Delivery Network (IDN), Region 6 (Strafford County/Seacoast). Beginning Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, the Strafford County Emergency Extreme Weather Warming Center will open for life-threatening weather conditions. IDN Director Tory Jennison and the Tri-City Emergency Management Team will decide when to activate the warming center beginning Jan. 1, 2021, based on weather conditions.

The City of Dover purchased the Willand Drive property through a grant it received late last month from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. One of the grant's requirements is that it be up and running before the end of December. The grant covers the property's purchase and the cost of equipment needed for operation, including a van that will be used to transport clients back to and from the Emergency Extreme Weather Warming Center and an emergency power back-up generator. The grant also covers staffing costs through the end of the year. Strafford County has a separate grant that will cover staffing costs during life-threatening weather conditions for up to 60 days beginning on Jan. 1, 2021.

Earlier this week, the Somersworth City Council and the Somersworth Planning Department met separately, and each board gave its unanimous support for warming center operations this winter season.

For more information, contact scwarmingshelter@gmail.com or 1-857-323-0388.