As a coastal winter storm knocked out power across parts of Salisbury on Monday, Wicomico County turned the Wicomico Civic Center's Midway Room into an overnight warming center for residents left in the cold. County officials say the site opened Monday night and will stay open through at least Tuesday morning so people can warm up, rest, charge devices, and access basic supplies.
Where to Go and What to Bring
The warming center is located in the Midway Room at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue. Officials are asking residents to bring any medications they might need and their own snacks, if possible. Staff said food and water are available on site, and there are spots to charge phones and other devices, according to WBOC.
Who Is Staffing the Center
The Salisbury Fire Department wrote on its Facebook page that cold-weather shelter operations started at 5:00 p.m. Monday and would remain open into Tuesday. According to the post, the Wicomico County Department of Social Services, the Wicomico County Health Department, and Wicomico County Emergency Services are all helping run the overnight shelter. The post also notes that Animal Control will pick up pets and move them to a separate facility for safekeeping, according to the Salisbury Fire Department.
Why It Opened: The Storm and Outages
Local outlets reported widespread outages across Delmarva after the storm brought down trees and damaged power lines, stretching restoration crews thin and prompting multiple jurisdictions to open warming centers. Coverage by CoastTV shows the Civic Center as one of several regional locations set up to help residents who are without heat.
Travel Safety and Support
Officials are urging anyone heading to the Civic Center to drive slowly and use extreme caution because of snow drifts, blowing snow, and the possibility of downed trees or power lines. Residents who need extra assistance or transportation are advised to keep an eye on county information channels for updates, according to WBOC.
Where to Get Updates
For the latest hours and operational details, residents can check the Wicomico Civic Center website or follow official county social channels. The Civic Center site also lists box office contact information for immediate questions. The Salisbury Fire Department post embedded above includes additional information on available services and safety advice for anyone planning to travel to the warming center.
