People needing respite from the frigid temperatures this weekend can find warming spaces throughout Aroostook County.
The National Weather Service in Caribou forecast temperatures of minus 11 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday night and minus 16 on Saturday night, with windchills as low as minus 38. Forecasters issued an extreme cold warning from 1 to 10 a.m. Saturday. Daytime temperatures are expected to be barely above zero for the weekend.
Several towns across The County have designated warming shelters from Friday through Sunday.
In Houlton, the town office will be available on an as-needed basis during this weekend’s arctic cold, municipal officials said.
People needing assistance between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., or after hours, should call the Houlton Police Department at 207-532-2287 to make arrangements.
The temporary location is a warming center only and not an overnight shelter, officials said.
Meals will not be available.
Other warming spaces include the following, according to the Maine Emergency Management Agency:
— Eagle Lake: Eagle Lake Town Office and Fire Department, 36 Devoe Brook Road. No meals will be served but a kitchen facility is available. Call 207-444-5125.
— Ashland: The Ashland Recreation Center will be open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For access outside of these hours, call 207-435-6626.
— Portage Lake: The Portage Town Office is open 24/7 through Jan. 30. No meals will be served, but coffeemakers and a microwave are available. For information call 207-435-4361.
— Stacyville: Katahdin Middle High School will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
— Presque Isle: The Homeless Services of Aroostook warming shelter, 745 Central Drive, is open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every day. The Sargent Family Community Center, The Forum and the public library will be open during normal business hours.
— Madawaska: The Madawaska Public Library, 393 Main St., will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.
— Fort Kent: The Lonesome Pine Ski Tow on Forest Avenue will be open Saturday and Sunday. Call 207-834-5678 for hours. There will be no meals served but food is available for purchase when the tow is open. Additionally, the Fort Kent Recreation Department will be open Friday.
Warming centers will be available around the state. This information is also available by calling 2-1-1.
