Inclement Weather Information

DeKalb County Warming Centers to Open on Dec. 10, Dec. 11 and Dec. 12

Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open five warming centers for residents on Sunday, Dec. 10, Monday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 12, starting at 8 p.m. each night to use at the following locations:

• Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002
• Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294
• Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316
• North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341
• Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Atlanta 30316

Anyone staying in the warming centers must follow the county’s COVID-19 protocols that include wearing a mask, social distancing and undergoing a temperature check.

Seniors needing assistance can call the Senior Link Line at (770) 322-2950 for an assessment of need.

Persons in DeKalb County who need homelessness assistance or housing services can contact DeKalb County Coordinated Entry by calling (404) 687-3500.

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If you live in DeKalb County and need homelessness prevention or emergency housing services, please contact DeKalb County Coordinated Entry by calling (404) 687-3500.

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Cold weather tips

• Exercise safety and use proper ventilation when operating alternative heat sources, such as fireplaces and electric heaters. Do not use an oven as a heat source. Do not bring grills, generators, kerosene heaters, and other outside heating devices inside to heat a home, as they emit odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide.
• Keep pets inside. It is a common belief that dogs and cats are resistant to cold weather because of their fur, but that is untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in temperatures below freezing.
• Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses. Detaching the hose allows water to drain from the pipe. Otherwise, a hard freeze can burst either the faucet or the pipe.
• Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas such as garages or crawl spaces by wrapping them.
• Know the location of the house master water shutoff valve in case of burst pipes. It may be near the water heater, washing machine or located where the water line enters the house from the street.
• Leave a pencil-lead-thin stream of water flowing from faucets during the worst of a cold spell. Running water has less of a chance of freezing.
• If a pipe freezes, do not try to thaw it using a torch with an open flame. This is a fire hazard, and it could also melt pipe solder or burst the pipe. The safest tool is a hair dryer with a low heat setting. Wave the warm air back and forth along the pipe, not on one spot.
• Check on elderly neighbors.