With a sharp cold front barreling in and a coastal winter storm on its heels, Baltimore County is flipping the switch on its Freezing Weather Shelter plan and opening multiple warming centers for residents who need a safe place to ride out the cold.
The county says the plan will run from Sunday through Thursday (Feb. 22–26), with warming sites opening at 6 p.m. each night and staying available until 9 a.m. the following morning. Intake is recommended between 6 and 10 p.m., and officials emphasize that no referral is required for anyone seeking an overnight spot inside.
County officials have confirmed the activation and schedule and are urging anyone who needs a warm bed to head to a site during the evening intake window. According to WMAR-2 News, the Department of Social Services will staff the locations and provide overnight services, and its after-hours line will help connect people to shelter when offices are closed.
Where to go
The county says it will operate several locations, including the Eastern Family Resource Center, Hannah More Family Shelter, Westside Men's Shelter, and the Woodlawn Recreation Center. When the freezing weather shelter plan is activated, about 78 additional beds open across the county’s emergency programs, according to WBAL.
How to get help
Anyone seeking shelter is advised to call the Department of Social Services' Coordinated Entry line at 410-887-TIME (410-887-8463) during regular business hours. When those offices are closed, people should use the county's after-hours line at 410-583-9398. The county freezing weather materials explain how sites are activated when forecasts call for below-freezing temperatures and how limited beds are prioritized, as outlined by Baltimore County.
Why now
Officials moved to open the warming centers as forecasters flagged a coastal storm paired with plunging temperatures that could create dangerous wind-chill values around the Baltimore region. The National Weather Service has issued winter-weather guidance and forecast discussions calling for snow, gusty winds, and sub-freezing conditions that can turn a night outside into a life-threatening situation, according to the National Weather Service.
What to bring
County guidance recommends that guests bring a photo ID if they have one, any necessary medications, a change of clothes, and paperwork that might help staff connect them with longer-term services. Intake workers will screen for vulnerabilities and work to link people to housing resources where possible; for more operational details and a refresher on the intake window, see WMAR-2 News.
For current shelter availability, call 410-887-8463 during business hours or 410-583-9398 after hours, and check Baltimore County's freezing weather page for nightly updates and confirmation of site openings.
