Shelters on alert as coldest weather yet for some areas this year takes hold
Frosty cold mornings are set to continue into next week for Tacoma and Olympia areas, according to the latest forecasts.
Overnight below-freezing temps in the mid- to upper-20s are forecast for most lowland areas, according to the National Weather Service’s Seattle office.
The temperatures would be the coldest so far this winter in some areas, NWS noted, particularly in the Bellingham area. Temperatures are expected to dip as low as 27 in Olympia early Monday.
Dry weather along with light winds will continue into midweek, with a slight chance of precipitation Wednesday. Highs are expected to remain in the low 40s.
Pierce County has activated daytime warming centers until Tuesday for those in need, according to information released Friday:
Catholic Community Services Day Shelter, 5050 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Tacoma-Pierce Community Resource Center, 4009 S. 56th St., Tacoma, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
New Hope Resource Center, 414 Spring St. in Puyallup, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
A list of both inclement weather shelters and emergency shelters in Pierce County can be found at the county’s Homeless Emergency Shelter Availability list online.
Thurston County
Overnight emergency shelter is available at Sergio’s Place, 3444 Martin Way NE. Available for unsheltered adults over age 18 through Tuesday, overnight from 8 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. Pets are welcome. Please call 360-706-2287 for more information.
For families with children under age 18, nightly shelter is available at Pear Blossom Place, 837 7th Ave. SE Olympia. Ring doorbell for entrance.
For youth and young adults, ages 24 and under, nightly shelter is available at Rosie’s Place, 520 Pear St. SE Olympia, WA 98501. Call to sign up on weekdays starting at 9:00 a.m. 360-918-7879. Open nightly 9:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Additionally, Olympia Mutual Aid Partners will increase distribution of survival supplies to individuals and families living outside.
Other Emergency Hazardous Weather Shelter options are available at Union Gospel Mission for single adults and St. Michael’s Parish and Sacred Heart for single men. For more information on available shelters, contact the Thurston County Shelter Hotline at 844-628-7343 or go to the county shelter list online.
Meanwhile, cold weather donations are accepted 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays at 3501 Mary Elder Rd NE, Olympia (Sergio’s Place donation collection entrance). Items sought: blankets, twin/single bed sheets, ramen, non-perishable snacks, instant coffee, creamer, hot tea, hot chocolate, disposable cups and utensils, socks, long johns, underwear, tarps, ponchos, hand warmers, sleeping bags, tents, gloves/mittens, hats, warm clothing.
This story was originally published January 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM.
