Tri-City warming center to remain open through Wednesday morning as winter storm approaches

posted on: 1/27/2021; updated: 2/1/2021

The Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center, located at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth, will open on Monday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. and remain open until Wednesday at 8 a.m.

The Emergency Management Directors of Dover, Rochester and Somersworth activated the warming center on Thursday, Jan. 25 due to extended, life-threatening cold temperatures that continue today. The activation was scheduled to end Monday Feb. 1 at 8 a.m., but with a winter storm approaching, the warming center will now remain open through Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the region, beginning at 3 p.m. on Monday. According to the forecast, heavy snow is expected to begin Monday evening, with total snow accumulations of up to 14 inches and wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

The combination of cold weather and the storm has diminished the availability of existing shelter space, which is among the deciding factors when activating the warming center. 

While open, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County and SOS Recovery Community Organization will provide staffing. There will also be volunteers on site during the activations. No additional volunteers are needed at this time.

Partners and municipalities are asked to help transport at-risk or unsheltered clients to the warming center when possible. COAST Bus has agreed to transport anyone on their way to the warming center to the closest bus stops at no cost. On Bus Route 1, the nearest stop is the Holy Trinity Church at 404 High St. in Somersworth. On Bus Route 12, the closest stop is Key Buick GMC of Somersworth, located at 155 Route 108 in Somersworth. During this activation, the warming center will be unable to transport clients to or from the center.

Those seeking to warm up may arrive anytime tonight, until 8 a.m. Monday, and beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, through Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. Referrals or reservations are not required. COVID-19 coronavirus precautions are in place, including hand hygiene, social distancing, and required masking. Cots are available at the warming center; however, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, no evening meals will be provided. Donations are not being accepted at this time

More information about the Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center can be found at a new online resource, https://www.facebook.com/warmingcenterofsc. The Warming Center can also be reached at 1-857-323-0388.

If you need help 

Those in need of assistance with basic emergency needs should contact the welfare departments of their respective communities.

Dover: The Public Welfare department is located at the McConnell Center, 61 Locust St. in Dover. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (603) 516-6500. For those who need assistance after hours, call Police Dispatch at 742-4646.

Somersworth: The Welfare / Human Services department is located at City Hall, 1 Government Way in Somersworth. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (603) 692-9509.

Rochester: The Municipal Welfare Department is located at City Hall, 31 Wakefield St., in Rochester. It is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (603) 332-3505.

New Hampshire residents may also dial 211 in the state anytime, day or night, to help locate critical resources.  

About the Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center

The warming center is a partnership of the cities of Dover, Somersworth and Rochester to establish an alternative location for a regional warming center to accommodate social distancing and other challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Dover purchased the property and equipment for the warming center in December through a New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority grant made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.