Arctic Blast Warning: Salem To Open Warming Shelter, Homeless Concerns

SALEM, MA — Salem Police Department is asking residents to alert them if they see anyone in distress outside during the impending Arctic blast as they try to protect homeless citizens, whose temperatures Friday night have been fraught with wind showers of up to – 30 degrees below zero will fall into Saturday.

Salem will also open a warm shelter at Life Bridge at 54 Margin Street for anyone struggling with the cold or lacking enough warmth in their homes.

“Officials assigned to the Community Impact Unit, along with patrol officers, will review the welfare of homeless individuals living in our community,” Salem Police said. “Salem Police Department is asking residents and visitors to call 911 if they see anyone outside in distress. That way officers and other first responders can check on our neighbors.”

The warm-up shelter opens at 9am on Friday morning and stays open until Sunday if needed. Drinks and meals will be provided on site for those in need.

The city said other locations could open as needed and that no one would be turned away for lack of space.

(Read more Patch: Deep Freeze Alert: Protect your pets during this week’s arctic blast)

The National Weather Service said Friday will start out bitterly cold with temperatures in the mid-teens or below across most of the state. At 10 a.m., rare wind chill warnings go into effect across the state, with winds pushing temperatures to -30 degrees between Worcester and Boston — likewise for the South Shore and Cape Cod.

The worst arctic air will hit areas like Fitchburg and North Adams, with possible wind chills of -40.

Strong wind gusts could reach 80 km/h in Provincetown and Gloucester. According to forecasts, gusts from Boston to all points west will be only slightly weaker at 35 to 45 mph.

(Scott Souza is Patch Field Editor for Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem, and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)