Staying Safe in the Deep Freeze: Des Moines' Plan to Beat the Cold

Des Moines is getting ready for a serious cold snap. The Extreme Temperature Plan was turned on early Sunday, November 30. The weather is expected to be so cold that it might break records from the 1800s. Iowa could be the coldest state in the country early on December 4. The National Weather Service has warned about dangerous wind chills. They say it will feel like 15 to 25 degrees below zero late Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. This is when warming centers in Central Iowa will open to help people stay safe. Polk County has a plan for extreme cold. They open warming centers when temperatures drop too low. These centers are open during regular business hours, but they can stay open longer if needed. The plan kicks in when temperatures hit certain levels with wind chill. There are several warming centers in Des Moines. These include libraries and community centers. The Des Moines Central Library and the Forest Avenue Library are two of them. The Scott-Four Mile Community Recreation Center and the Northwest Community Center are also options. The Polk County Health Department is another place to go. People can find a full list of warming centers on the Polk County website. It's a good idea to call ahead to make sure the center is open. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority is offering free rides to these warming centers. This cold weather is a big deal. It's important to know where you can go to stay warm. The county is doing its best to keep everyone safe during this extreme cold snap.