The City of Edmonton confirmed the current extreme weather activation because of the cold weather will be extended until Monday at 9 a.m. based on updated weather forecasts. As weather conditions change, subsequent alerts might be sent to advise of changes to the activation timeline, according to a Thursday press release. This extreme weather response started last Sunday at 9 a.m. and is expected to end on Monday at 9 a.m. The City of Edmonton encouraged vulnerable Edmontonians to go to shelters to protect themselves from winter conditions. It said shelters are the safest option because they protect them from frostbite, loss of limbs, and death. At the moment, the City of Edmonton said the activation will continue to include an overnight Winter Shelter Shuttle Service that will operate nightly on two routes until March 31, providing transportation to emergency shelters. It added the service will run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on two designated routes — a north route from Northgate Transit Centre to downtown and a south route from Southgate Transit Centre to downtown. During extreme cold weather responses, a third shuttle runs on a west route from Kingsway Transit Centre to downtown. Support staff will be on each bus offering help to people needing access to available shelters and for referrals to other services.The City of Edmonton said Al Rashid Mosque will open up to 50 overnight spaces to help expand shelter capacity, with operating hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. It said open city facilities and libraries will be open during regular operating hours to anyone needing respite from the extreme cold. If people see anyone sheltering outside, it said they should call 211 immediately and ask for the Crisis Diversion Team (CDT). The CDT can help connect vulnerable people to transportation, shelter, and the supports they need. By making a call, it said people could be protecting others from harm and saving lives. The City of Edmonton said on November 21 it had activated the Winter Safety Response Plan (WSRP) to support vulnerable people as temperatures plummet and winter conditions intensify. .City of Edmonton shares Winter Safety Response Plan .To support vulnerable people, the City of Edmonton said the WSRP emphasizes compassion, urgency, and community collaboration to protect public health and safety during the coldest months of the year. “Our winters can be harsh and unforgiving,” said City of Edmonton Deputy City Manager, Community Services Jennifer Flaman.
