Warming Center of Strafford County operating as-needed through Winter

posted on 12/4/2024

The tri-cities of Dover, Somersworth and Rochester with Strafford County have contracted with the non-profit organization East Coast Evolution Leadership LLC to operate the warming center at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth on an emergency basis through March 31, 2025. Strafford County is administering the contract.

When activated as a life-safety facility during extreme weather events, the warming center will generally be open overnight between 4 p.m. and 9 a.m.

Volunteer and donations

The warming center operator welcomes donations and volunteers to help make a successful season. They’ve included an Amazon wishlist for supplies for those interested in helping keep the center stocked. The warming center is utilizing the website volunteershift.com to manage schedules for those who would like to volunteer. Create a free account and view available volunteer shifts by clicking here.

The warming center operator created a Facebook group and encourages community folks to join for updates on all things pertaining to the warming center beyond basic activation alerts.

Activation criteria

As a general guideline, the Emergency Management Directors (EMD’s) of Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth will declare the need to open the Willand Warming Center on nights when the National Weather Service online forecast for the Skyhaven Airport in Rochester predicts extreme/sever weather conditions meeting pre-established criteria between the hours of 4 p.m. and 9 .a.m.

Extreme and/or severe weather is defined by:

• Ambient air temperatures at or below 28 degrees, or windchill temperatures at or below 20 degrees, for more than four consecutive hours;
• A weather event defined with “blizzard” or “Nor’easter” conditions involving significant precipitation and wind;

Other weather conditions the EMDs deem extreme or severe may include:

• Unusually quick dropping temperatures;
• Heavy snowfall greater than six inches;
• Heavy rainfall greater than two inches;

A half-inch of heavy precipitation of ice or sleet with temperatures at or below 30 degrees.

Transportation to the warming center

Access 30 Willand Drive via Route 108 (New Rochester Road), or Commercial Drive from High Street in Somersworth. The two nearest COAST bus stops are High Street: Holy Trinity Church/Bernier Street (Route 1) and Midway Buick/Coastal Neurology (Route 12). Tickets/bus passes required. Find COAST Bus at schedules https://www.coastbus.org/schedules.

Need emergency assistance?

The city's Public Welfare Department is available to coordinate services for Dover residents who need and want emergency assistance, including shelter, food and medical care.

The Public Welfare Department, 61 Locust St., Room 334 on the third floor of the McConnell Center, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 603-516-6500; website: www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/public-welfare/.

For after-hours emergency needs, call 603-742-4646, visit the Police Department at 46 Chestnut St, or any of the three fire stations, all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to request assistance.