With the upcoming stretch of arctic weather headed our way beginning this weekend, Rice County officials announce the opening of warming centers.

The coldest periods will be Sunday, Monday and Tuesday mornings when wind chills will comfortably fall below -25 and will likely make a run toward -30 in portions of Rice County.

Air temperatures are forecast to remain below zero from Saturday night through Tuesday morning. It is expected the National Weather Service will issue cold weather advisories and warnings in the coming days.

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Rice County Officials Offer These Safety Tips

  • Stay inside: When possible, stay indoors.
  • Adjust your schedule: If possible, avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, typically the early morning. Try to find a warm spot for your children while waiting for the school bus outside.
  • Winterize your car: Just as you have a home emergency kit, you need one for your car too. Pack items Such as blankets, snacks and water, a shovel, jumper cables and sand. Keep your gas tank at least half full.
  • Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning: Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, and RVs.
  • Protect your pets, livestock and other property: If you have pets or farm animals, make sure they are not overly exposed to extreme cold and have plenty of food and water that has not frozen. Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of hypothermia: Warning signs include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, and slurred speech, and symptoms can look similar to intoxication. Call 911 if someone is exposed to cold temperatures and you see these symptoms.

While residents are encouraged to stay out of the sub-zero weather, for those living in homes without sufficient heat there are several warming sites throughout Rice County.

Rice County Warming Centers

The following locations have been designated by Rice County Sheriff’s Office - Emergency Management & Rice County Public Health as community warming shelters. Contact the facility regarding hours of operation.

  • Faribault Community Center: 15 Division St. W, Faribault, MN 55021 (507-334-2064)
  • Faribault Public Library: 11 Division St. E, Faribault, MN 55021 (507-334-2089)
  • FiftyNorth: 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, MN 55057 (507-664-3700)
  • Lonsdale Public Library: 1006 NE Birch St., Lonsdale, MN 55046 (507-744-3977)
  • Morristown City Hall: 402 Division St., Morristown, MN 55052 (507-685-2302)
  • Nerstrand City Hall: 221 Main St., Nerstrand, MN 55053 (507-332-8000)
  • Northfield Public Library: 210 Washington St., Northfield, MN 55057 (507-645-6606)

Stay warm. Be safe. Take care of each other.

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