As Metro Vancouver experiences a blast of cold winter weather, the City of Surrey has issued an extreme weather alert.
The Provincial Extreme Weather Response (EWR) program “provides homeless people with access to a warm, dry place to sleep during extreme weather conditions over the winter,” reads their website.
RELATED: White Rock Just Announced Temporary Free Parking At The Beach
According to Environment Canada, temperatures will drop below -9 C Monday evening.
EWR shelters open only when an ‘Extreme Weather Alert’ is called. This happens when the weather is severe enough to threaten the health or safety of those who are homeless. This can include:
- Temperatures at or below 0 degrees Celsius.
- Significant snow accumulation or sleet / freezing rain.
- Significant windstorms that may be a dance for people living in wooded areas or makeshift shelters.
- Periods of extended heavy rain that make it difficult for people to keep dry.
The following organizations will be providing EWR shelter spaces over the 2018-2019 winter season:
- Pacific Community Church – 5337 180 Street (Cloverdale) – 25 mats for men and women
- Peninsula United Church – Star of the Sea Church hall – 15262 Pacific Avenue (White Rock/South Surrey) – 25 mats for men and women
- Pacific Community Services Resources Society – 10453 Whalley Boulevard (City Centre) – 10 mats for youth
- Nightshift Ministries – 10635 King George Boulevard (City Centre) – 15 mats for women
- Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre – 13639 108 Avenue (City Centre) – 16 mats for men and women
- Phoenix Centre – 13686 94a Avenue (City Centre) – 15 mats for men and women
Call 211 for information and availability.
[sjnow-ad-large-leaderboard]
