Extreme Cold Preparedness & Warming Center Information

Warming Centers are available around Hamilton County to provide safe locations residents can access to avoid extreme cold temperatures. As temperatures and wind chills decrease throughout the week, numerous Warming Centers will be open throughout the County. Information on Warming Centers, including locations, will be provided below.

Extreme Cold Preparedness

Extreme cold weather is expected to impact our region this week, beginning on Tuesday, January 7 through the morning of Friday, January 10. The National Weather Service in Wilmington is currently predicting below freezing temperatures and wind chill values near or a few degrees below zero.

The expected cold weather will make cold-related illnesses a very real and dangerous threat. Hamilton County residents are advised to stay indoors and limit prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.

If you are going outside, be sure to have multiple layers of warm clothing to prevent hypothermia and know the signs of cold-related illnesses. Pet owners are advised to bring their pets inside and ensure that they have enough water.

                     Frostbite and Hypothermia Risk Factors

Additionally, if external heat sources are used in your homes, ensure proper ventilation and keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from the heat source.

If you do not have a heat source or lose power, locate a warm environment to protect against the cold. Community organizations are coming together to provide warmth for residents. Locations are open throughout the week during their normal business hours.

Warming Centers

  • Cincinnati Hamilton County Public Libraries - The Cincinnati Hamilton County Public Libraries are available as warming centers during their operating hours. Due to severe inclement weather, some locations may open late, close early, or be closed. Please check their current operating hours on their website.  
  • Select YMCA of Greater Cincinnati locations - As of 9:00 a.m. on January 7, 2025, the following YMCA of Greater Cincinnati locations will operate on normal business hours. Specific location hours are on their website.
    • Blue Ash, Campbell County, Clermont Family, Clippard Family, Gamble-Nippert, Highland County, M.E. Lyons, Powel Crosley, Jr., R.C. Durr
  • The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati locations
    • Cincinnati Ohio Center Hill - 6381 Center Hill Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224
      • Operating 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    • Batavia Ohio Corps - 87 N. Market St., Batavia OH 45103
      • Operating 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Cincinnati Recreation Centers - On January 7-10, the City of Cincinnati is activating a daytime cold weather shelter at the Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center (1715 Republic St.)
    • The activation includes:
      • Expanded hours Tuesday-Friday from 6:15 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
      • Metro bus transportation to/from the overnight Winter Shelter at 411 Gest St.
      • Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
      • Behavioral health services, if needed
      • Non-emergent health services, if needed
      • Blankets, hats, and scarves
      • Pet services for people experiencing homelessness with their pets
    • All Cincinnati Recreation Commission (CRC) Rec Centers will operate as warming centers during normal business hours, regardless of CRC membership. For a list of rec centers and hours, visit the CRC website.
For additional information or media inquiries regarding warming centers, please contact the centers themselves. 

Alert Hamilton County

Hamilton County EMHSA encourages residents to have multiple ways of receiving alerts and warnings. Alert Hamilton County (Alert HC) is a mass notification system used to notify residents about emergencies and other important information throughout Hamilton County. When registering for Alert HC, users can also create a Smart911 profile, allowing first responders to have quicker access to important information in case of an emergency.

Sign up for alerts: www.Smart911.com