Warming centers ready to beat back winter weather

Wild-chill temperature indexes could drop to between 5 and 15 degrees below zero throughout Cape Girardeau County today.

In a special weather statement Tuesday, the National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky, indicated the high temperatures will remain below freezing today through Thursday, with wind gusts up to 35 mph.

Jessica Sexton, public information specialist for the city of Cape Girardeau, said public community center facilities such as the Arena Building, Osage Centre and the Shawnee Park Center will be open during regular business hours as warming centers for the public.

She said the facilities have open conference room space and will accommodate all who wish to get warm.

The National Weather Service is encouraging people to remain indoors, take precautions to prevent water line and pipe freeze-ups and ensure outdoor pets have shelter and an unfrozen water supply if they can't be brought indoors.

"These freezing temperatures can be deadly," Cindy Erickson, regional CEO of the American Red Cross of the Greater St. Louis Region, said in a news release Tuesday. "We want to remind everyone to take a few safety measures before the bitter weather descends on us."

Along with the National Weather Service, the Red Cross gave this advice:

• Wear layers of lightweight clothing to help stay warm;
• Be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite;
• Bring pets indoors if possible;
• Keep space heaters on level, hard surfaces and keep anything flammable at least 3 feet away;
• Make sure space heaters, fireplace embers or lit flames are extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed.

Hours for the warming facilities can be found at cityofcapegirardeau.org/parks.