Saskatoon activates extreme cold weather emergency response plan

The City of Saskatoon has activated its “Level 2” extreme cold weather emergency response plan from now until Sunday.

According to Pamela Goulden-McLeod, the city’s director of emergency management, there are three response plan levels. A Level 2 response means the city expects air temperature or the wind chill to reach -30 C for at least two days, air temperature or wind chill is expected to reach -40 C for at least two hours, and/or 10 centimetres of snow falls within 12 hours or less.

The plan also includes co-ordinating outreach, emergency shelter and warm-up location spaces.

“We have about 35 different partner organizations that we connect with and we do daily situational updates with them,” she said. “They look at what kind of services they’re providing, how many people they’re providing services for, (and) we share information about the warming locations.”

Some of those warming locations include nine public libraries, which are open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. There are several evening warm-up locations as well, including Egadz, Prairie Harm Reduction, and Chokecherry Studios.

An overnight shelter will be set up at St. Mary’s Parish in partnership with the Salvation Army, along Avenue O. The emergency wellness centre in Fairhaven is also an option for some.

A full list of warming locations can be found here.

Goulden-McLeod also encouraged people to be prepared for emergencies.

“Ten to 15 centimetres of snow is what they’ve forecasted for Saskatoon. That’s a lot of snow and so make sure you’ve got emergency kits in your car,” she said. “If you’re travelling, make sure you’re checking the roadways hotlines. If you’re going anywhere, give yourself some extra time.”

It’s also a good idea to check on your neighbours if possible, to see if they need any help or if they’re OK.

“We’re so good about being good neighbours and good community partners,” she added.