People flock to Snohomish County shelters as temps dip dangerously cold overnight

As the temperatures drop tonight, cold weather shelters are opening across the region to protect some of the most vulnerable residents in our communities.

In Snohomish, the shelter at 210 Avenue B opened its doors at 8 p.m. on Friday. People started streaming in after the doors opened, eager for a chance to get out of the cold. 

What they're saying:

"If you don’t want to be out in the cold, it’s better to be indoors where it’s warm," said Jason Galovin, a guest staying at the Snohomish cold weather shelter. 

Galovin was waiting outside the Snohomish Evangelical Free Church even before the doors opened at 8 p.m. 

"The reason I like this shelter in particular is they provide you food, coffee, more resources out there like showers," he said. 

He said it's one of the best places to go for those who need a safe place to sleep. 

"Hot food, coffee and drinks, etc.," he said.

Michael Lorio, Outreach Director for Take the Next Step, a family resource center in Monroe, says it's important to offer places like the Monroe and Snohomish shelters when the temperatures drop near the freezing mark.

"These types of shelters are critical because it really comes down to a life or death situation," said Lorio, pictured below. 

He says the shelters open when the weather drops below 34 degrees.  

"There’s only two options if you don’t have shelter, which is to keep moving, so you can keep your body temperature up, and living, or not, in that you truly run the risk of hypothermia," said Lorio. 

Because he has more than 10 years of experience and connection with the Monroe cold weather shelter, he knows how difficult winters in the Pacific Northwest can be.  

"You have the combination of the cold temperatures and the wet, and in the long term, that’s very dangerous because it’s easy for people to get sick in those situations," said Lorio.  

Galovin says a tiny home village would also be great during a cold night, but getting into one can take months. 

"They are nice, but you have to have a wait list," he said.

He urges those who need help to plan ahead and check the Snohomish County cold weather shelter Facebook page for places to go.

Here was a list of shelters featured on that page Friday night:

Serving Monroe, Snohomish & Lynnwood with overnight shelters when temperatures are 34ºF or below.

  • MONROEMonroe United Methodist Church342 S Lewis St
  • LYNNWOODMaple Park Church17620 60th Ave W
  • SNOHOMISHSnohomish Evangelical Free Church210 Ave B

There are additional shelters, including daytime warming shelters, listed on the Snohomish County website

"Just think about what your next place you want to be in," said Galovin.  

Michael Lorio says Snohomish County is always looking for volunteers for the Point-In-Time Count, which is happening on January 23. He says you can sign up to help with that through the county's website.

The Source: Information in this story is from Snohomish County and shelter personnel.

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