"Nobody should be out there:" Amid dangerous cold, warming shelter opens in West Allis

WEST ALLIS -- A Wind Chill ADVISORY took effect at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, and it continues through 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 15th. The FOX6 Weather Experts said highs would be in the teens Wednesday, and it would feel below zero at times. Wind chills were expected at 15 to 25 below on Wednesday. On Thursday, December 15th, even colder air arrives -- with highs expected in the single digits and sub-zero lows.

A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and strong winds would combine to generate low wind chills -- resulting in frostbite and leading to hypothermia if precautions weren't taken.

This cold can be very dangerous -- especially for those who don't have a warm home to escape to.

A warming shelter at "Feeding His Flock" at 1610 S. 81st Street in West Allis opened Wednesday, December 14th. When temperatures are 10 degrees or below, it'll be open 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

"It`s been a very long day -- and it's only just begun," Debra Sehnert-Gonzalez with Feeding His Flock said.

The basement of the homeless outreach center would serve as a warming shelter Wednesday night -- for the first time.

"Nobody should be out there, so this is really important," Sehnert-Gonzalez said.

On Wednesday night, they welcomed those without a home -- offering a warm place to escape the cold. Volunteers even went out in it, in search of people in need.

"We are heading to pick up a local couple who is homeless. We've got a warming shelter by us (Wednesday) night and (Thursday). It's better than nothing," Lisa Eder with Feeding His Flock said.

This was one of several warming shelters in Milwaukee County offering refuge from the bitter cold.

"We`re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," John Hyatt, president and CEO of Impact 211.

If you are in need of a place to stay when it's dangerously cold, you can call 211 for resources.

"Any given day, we take about 600 calls. As it gets colder like this, the call volume will go up," Hyatt said.

"I don`t know how people can stay out in this all night," Eder said.

The shelter at Feeding His Flock was full by Wednesday night.

Below is a list of warming shelters available in Milwaukee County -- and again, if you or someone you know is in need, you can dial 211 for help:

Warming Rooms in Milwaukee County

1335 W Vliet Street in Milwaukee

Open from 8:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.

Walk-in from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. for entry

125 W Saveland Avenue in Milwaukee

Call 211 for entry

1610 S. 81st Street in West Allis

Open when temperatures are 10 degrees or below, 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Walk-in for entry

1216 N 13th Street in Milwaukee

Call 211 for entry

Daytime Warming Rooms in Milwaukee County

8853 S. Howell in Milwaukee

Open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. M-F

Walk-in for entry or call 414-762-3993

4129 W Villard in Milwaukee

Open 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. M-F

Walk-in for entry

5555 W. Capitol Drive in Milwaukee

Open when temperatures are 20 degrees or below, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Call 414-731-1174 for entry