According to the Logan County Emergency Management Agency, emergency warming shelters across Logan County will continue to remain open this week as dangerously cold temperatures persist.
The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills expected to drop below minus 15 degrees on multiple nights.
Local churches, fire departments, and community buildings are providing warm places to stay for anyone who does not have a safe or heated home.
Shelters offer a warm indoor space, but supplies and accommodations are limited.
Those planning to stay should bring sleeping bags or blankets, chairs or cots if available, medications, and their own food or drinks.
Pets are not permitted at these locations.
- In Bellefontaine, First United Methodist Church at 201 North Main Street remains open beginning at 8 p.m. The shelter is staffed, and guests should enter through the back door under the covered porch at the corner of Main and Sandusky streets.
- The Quincy Community Building at 505 South Carlisle Street is available by request. Individuals seeking access should call Administrator Michael Weber at 937-570-5759, and a local official will open the building within approximately 30 minutes.
- In Ridgeway, shelter is available at the Ridgeway Fire Department, located at 133 Main Street. Fire Chief Jim Newland can be reached at 419-674-7728 and will meet guests at the station.
- Residents of Rushsylvania and Rushcreek Township can access shelter at the fire station at 108 South Sandusky Street. Fire Chief Duane VanBuskirk can be reached at 937-441-8837 and is also willing to provide transportation for anyone in the village or township who needs a ride.
- In Zanesfield, the Tri-Valley Fire Station at 2568 Sandusky Street remains open beginning at 6 p.m. The shelter is staffed, and anyone arriving after dark should ring the doorbell to be let inside.
Shelters will remain open through Friday night, January 30, with all locations closing at noon on Saturday, January 31.
After that, the warming center at Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 Brown Avenue, will return to normal hours, opening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on nights when temperatures fall below 20 degrees.
