The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch from Thursday night (Jan. 22) through Saturday morning (Jan. 24), with wind chills potentially reaching -25 to -40 degrees. The City is reminding community members to exercise caution over the next few days. If you see someone who might need assistance, please call the non-emergency number (414-302-8000) to help us get resources to them.
West Allis Warming Sites:
West Allis Public Library (7421 W. National Ave.)
West Allis Senior Center (7001 W. National Ave.)
Warming Sites with Overnight Stays in Milwaukee (pending availability)
Men Only
Guest House of Milwaukee (1216 N. 13th St.)
Milwaukee Rescue Mission (830 N. 19th St. Call 414-935-0240 before visiting)
Women & Families
Joy House (818 N. 19th St. Call 414-344-3774 before visiting)
Singles Only
Repairers of the Breach (1335 W. Vliet St.)
St. Ben's Parish (930 W. State St.)
Unity Lutheran Church (1205 E. Oklahoma Ave.)
Cold-Weather Safety Tips:
Dress in layers and cover exposed skin (hat, gloves, scarf).
Limit time outdoors and take frequent breaks indoors.
Watch for frostbite (numb, pale, or hard skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, slurred speech).
If someone is cold, get indoors, remove wet clothing, add dry layers/blankets, and gently rewarm. Call 911 if symptoms are severe or the person is unresponsive.
Check on older adults, neighbors, and people with health conditions
Keep pets indoors as much as possible
Avoiding Frozen Pipes:
Before Cold Weather Hits
Know where your shut-off valve(s) are, and make sure they are accessible.
Protect water pipes from freezing in exposed or unheated areas like attics, basements, and garages by wrapping pipes in tape and insulating materials.
Drain and remove all outdoor hoses.
If you don't have a separate shut-off valve, wrap outdoor faucets or hose-bibs.
Caulk around pipes at entry points into the house, and close all foundation vents.
Shut off and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
When Temperatures Stay Below Freezing
Open cabinet doors if pipes run through cabinets or vanities to allow warmer room temperatures to flow in.
Keep water moving through pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run.
If Pipes Freeze
If the faucet is on and only a trickle comes out, it's possible that pipes are frozen.
Close the main shut-off valve to avoid flooding. The shut-off valve is usually in a basement.
Keep the faucet open.
Apply heat to a section of frozen pipe using towels soaked in hot water wrapped around the pipe, an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, or an electric hair dryer.
Do not use electric devices if there is standing water
Do not use kerosene or propane heaters
Do not use blowtorches or open flames
Do not leave electric devices or space heaters unattended.
Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.
Be careful when turning water back on. Once pipes are thawed, slowly turn the water back on and check the pipes and joints for cracks.