Cold weather blasting MN proves dangerous, shelters increase support

It is the coldest stretch in the Twin Cities metro and across the region so far this winter.

The dangerously cold conditions are also adding to the already crowded emergency rooms from an intense respiratory illness season.

Twin Cities hospitals see cold-weather-related injuries

Dangerous conditions:

Hospitals in the Twin Cities say these conditions really are dangerous. They have been seeing more people with cold-weather-related injuries in these past several days.

A spokesperson for Hennepin Healthcare said they have seen at least a dozen cold-weather related injuries in the past several days, including frostbite and hypothermia patients. They tell FOX 9 the number is already more than any other stretch so far this winter.

Here are some reminders they want everyone to keep in mind:

  • Frostbite warning symptoms include tingling and burning. Those are signs you should get out of the cold immediately. 
  • Once you feel numbness, you probably have frostbite, which could lead to changes in color or swelling. 
  • To prevent this, try to keep your skin dry, dress in layers, and cover exposed skin.

Shelters expanding service:

Dangerously cold weather has people seeking refuge, and it has been all hands-on deck for emergency shelters across the region.

"Throughout our locations, both in Minneapolis and St. Paul, we are seeing greater need this week," said Keith Kozerski, Chief Program Officer at Catholic Charities Twin Cities. "We’ve had to call in extra staff, schedule staff extra hours."

The organization said they have expanded day and overnight shelter hours and capacity to help keep people safe. They have already served thousands of people through this cold stretch.

"Sometimes people may come in for breakfast, and we won’t see them the rest of the day, but most people are staying for all three meals this week," said Kozerski. "We try to expand the number of beds we have during these cold periods."

Social service providers said they hope to fill the gap before people suffer from extreme-weather injuries.

"We try to be a safe place for them to come, so they are not in these elements experiencing things like frostbite and taking up valuable space in the emergency room when we have the resources to keep them safe," said Kozerski.

What you can do:

Learn more about Hennepin County warming shelters here.

Learn more about Ramsey County warming shelters here.

Learn more about Catholic Charities Twin Cities here.

Learn how to make an in-kind donation to Catholic Charities Twin Cities here.

The Source: FOX 9 Weather, National Weather Service, Hennepin County, Hennepin Healthcare, Ramsey County, Catholic Charities Twin Cities

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