Jackson area residents are preparing for record cold temperatures and wind chills that will continue through Thursday afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Warning in effect until 1 PM Thursday, January 31. Dangerously cold wind chills are expected. Some snow showers and blowing and drifting will be possible, and could cause slick roads. Wind chills will drop to 35 to 45 below for Jackson County. The dangerous wind chills will last through Thursday morning. The lowest temperatures are expected to occur mid-morning on Wednesday. Residents who need assistance or guidance during the extreme cold are encouraged to call 211.
As of early Tuesday evening, all Jackson area schools have announced closings for Wednesday OR Wednesday and Thursday (Some districts have only made a decision regarding Wednesday, check with your district for the most current information).
Jackson College (all campuses) will be closed Wednesday and Wednesday night. Spring Arbor University is closed Wednesday and Thursday. Baker College will be closed Wednesday thru Thursday at 12 Noon. Albion College is closed Wednesday. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is closed both Wednesday and Thursday.
Jackson City Hall will be closed on Wednesday Jan. 30 and Thursday Jan. 31 due to extreme cold temperatures. Tonight’s planned city council meeting is happening as scheduled. All City of Jackson recreation activities and recreation facilities will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
The Salvation Army of Jackson County is opening as a warming center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30 and Thursday, January 31 for anyone seeking shelter from the cold. They will be offering snacks, warm drinks and a place to relax in the church’s chapel. In addition, The Salvation Army is opening up funding to offer financial assistance for anyone needing a place to stay Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights. Those that need temporary housing these next three days should come during 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Salvation Army will help anyone find shelter overnight at local lodging facilities. Due to the severe weather, The Salvation Army will be having a late start both Wednesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and will be closing at 2:00 p.m. both days. For more information, please contact The Salvation Army at 517-782-7185 or visit 806 E. Pearl St. Jackson.
Other warming shelters open during the deep freeze include:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, 1107 Adrian Street, Jackson
- Jackson College, Central Campus
- Napoleon Township Hall, 6755 Brooklyn Road
- Jackson Interfaith Shelter, 414 S. Blackstone Street, Jackson
- Trinity United Methodist Church, 1508 Greenwood Ave.,Jackson
- St. John’s United Church of Christ, 801 S. Mechanic Street, Jackson
- Both Meijer locations: 3333 East Michigan Avenue and 2777 Airport Road, Jackson
All Center for Family Health facilities in Jackson will close Wednesday, Jan. 30, due to extreme weather conditions.
LifeWays Community Mental Health will close for services and will not reopen until 1 p.m. Thursday. The building at 1200 N. West Ave. in Jackson will remain open as a warming center only from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Training and events both days including Wellness Wednesday and VCAT Veterans Meeting have been cancelled. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please go to the Henry Ford Allegiance Health Emergency Department.
Other closings: disAbility Connections is closed Wednesday and Thursday; The Jackson Social Security Office is closed Wednesday; and the Academy of Manufacturing Careers cancelled Wednesday classes.
Granger Waste Services is cancelling all operations on Wednesday, January 30. This includes trash and recycling collection routes, Disposal Centers, landfill and Recycling Center. Our main office will remain open during normal business hours. Beginning Wednesday, all residential collections will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week. (Wednesday collections will be delayed until Thursday. Thursday collections will be delayed until Friday. Friday collections will be delayed until Saturday.) Commercial collections will be made up later in the week.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency throughout the state to help address threats to public health and safety related to sub-zero temperatures over the next few days.
“Keeping Michiganders safe during this stretch of dangerously cold temperatures is our priority,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Such widespread, extreme conditions have not occurred in Michigan for many years and it is imperative that we are proactive with record-low temperatures being predicted by the National Weather Service. Wind chills are predicted as low as 50 degrees below zero in many places, such as metro Detroit which is especially unaccustomed to these temps.”
In addition to the emergency declaration, Gov. Whitmer has activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Located at Michigan State Police (MSP) Headquarters in Dimondale, the center is overseen by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) and coordinates response and recovery efforts by state agencies and local government. The SEOC is staffed by members of state agencies and other partners for decision making and information coordination during disasters or emergencies in the state of Michigan.
Safety tips to stay safe during cold weather:
- Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Signs of frostbite include: loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers and toes, numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin.
- Signs of hypothermia include: shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness.
- Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
- Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
- Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.
- Pets are also at risk for cold weather injuries and should be kept indoors.
- If travel is necessary, keep a full tank of gas and an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle. Put warm clothing, such as gloves, blankets and hats, and a cell phone charger in your kit.
To prevent frozen pipes:
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
- When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold-water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
- Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a costlier repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
- If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
To thaw frozen pipes:
- If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
- Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
- Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
- Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
Residents who need assistance or guidance during the extreme cold are encouraged to call 211.
Michigan weather is unpredictable any time of year, but especially during the winter months. If you are stranded, do not leave your vehicle. Stay with the vehicle and wait for help.
Motorists are encouraged to check travel conditions and weather reports before driving at www.michigan.gov/roadconditions. Major road closures can be found at www.michigan.gov/drive.
