Salvation Army, city officials brace for freezing temperatures
Nov. 27—TUPELO — With temperatures crawling below freezing until Wednesday, the Salvation Army has opened its doors for shelter while city officials prepare for the pressures of a continued freeze.
Captain Leanna Marion said the non-profit opened its cold weather shelter Sunday night. Temperatures were predicted to fall below freezing Monday and Tuesday nights before rising back to above freezing Wednesday night, according to data from the National Weather Service.
"When temperatures reach 32 degrees, we open the cold weather shelter," Marion said, noting that Sunday night, the shelter housed three men and two women overnight. "There are not a lot of stipulations around the cold weather shelter."
To request lodging, Marion said, an individual can go to the office at 527 Carnation Street. At the office, the individual can reserve a cot between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with either a staff member or security guard stationed at the lodge's desk. Blankets and pillows for the cots will be provided and were donated, she noted.
Tupelo Communications Director Scott Costello said in the event of extreme cold weather, the city refers people to the Salvation Army, but noted that other accommodations can be made through the county and Red Cross in the case of cold weather emergencies.
Meanwhile, city officials are bracing for cold weather in the middle of an extended drought. Tupelo Water & Light Director Johnny Timmons said the department is checking all of the heating pumps at the city's pumping stations in preparation for the freeze.
"We're on top of things," he said. "It's that time of year again."
Public Works Department Director Chuck Williams said it is "business as usual" for public works, noting they are prepared with a salt truck in the case of a frozen road. He said that would likely be an issue only if a water main bursts during the freeze.
"At this stage, we don't do a whole lot," he said. "The ground is so warm right now we shouldn't have any trouble."
He said the department watches extended forecasts, noting any freezes that last a week or more are more likely to bring issues for his department.
