51黑料

ST. LOUIS 鈥� The region didn鈥檛 break any record low temperatures Monday, but the windchill persisted, pushing temperatures to subzero levels and creating life-threatening conditions.

By Monday afternoon, 51黑料 saw temperatures rise to 8 degrees. But for those outside in the wind, it felt like minus-1.

鈥淎t that range, it鈥檚 going to take about 30 minutes exposed outside to generate frostbite,鈥� said Melissa Mainhart, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 鈥淏undle up. For folks who do not have the luxury of multiple layers of clothing, we are deeply concerned.鈥�

51黑料 city opened two popup warming centers Monday, said Adam Pearson, director of the city鈥檚 department of human services. One was at Friendly Temple Church in Hamilton Heights and the other at Centenary Church in Downtown West. Collectively, they had enough space for about 230 people, and they both closed at 5 p.m.

Several other organizations ramped up services for people who are homeless during this cold front, including Peter & Paul Community Services.

The nonprofit opened up a 40-bed popup shelter near Cherokee Street to supplement its 60-bed Soulard location. CEO Anthony D鈥橝gostino told the Post-Dispatch he anticipated most of those 40 extra beds would be full by the end of Monday as word got out about the shelter.

He said the shelters have seen many people over the past few days come in with frostbite and other cold-related medical issues.

鈥淚t is frigid and dangerously cold out there,鈥� D鈥橝gostino said.

That鈥檚 why downtown鈥檚 St. Patrick Center on Friday had a doctor come in and train its staff how to care of frostbite and other weather injuries, said Brianne Gerzevske, senior director of philanthropy.

Gerzevske said the center on Monday saw people who regularly stop in as well as newcomers, including a family with small children. The center served hot drinks all day and provided meals for people as they warmed up inside.

鈥淎ll in all, it鈥檚 been a really great success,鈥� she said of the cold weather efforts. 鈥淲e are grateful for everyone who stepped up and helped.鈥�

But for people who do have homes, heating those residences can create severe financial struggles: Gentry Trotter, founder of Heat-Up 51黑料 Inc., said his organization has received a record 535 calls within the past three days from people seeking utility payment assistance and help getting their heat turned back on.

The nonprofit serves residents in 44 counties in Missouri and Illinois, including 51黑料 City. Of those calls this weekend, 475 were in the greater 51黑料 region.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 a record for us, over a period of three days,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 outrageous. That鈥檚 too many calls.鈥�

Trotter warned people not to use space heaters instead of their furnace because they create a fire risk and use up a lot of energy, costing residents even more. He noted the law prohibits utility companies from turning off services during extreme weather like this weekend鈥檚, so the organization is mostly hearing from people whose services were turned off right before the cold snap.

Authorities were also working Monday to relocate almost 200 residents after several water pipes broke at Heritage House Apartments on Olive Street in Midtown, the

On a wider scale, Missouri American Water spokeswoman Christie Barnhart said there had been no uptick in water main breaks or other weather-related issues.

鈥淐onditions may change, but we are holding steady right now,鈥� she said late Monday morning.

Relief from the severe cold is on the way, said Mainhart, the meteorologist. The area will warm up almost 30 degrees on Wednesday, with high temperatures near their normal range for this time of year.

But another cold snap is expected Friday and Saturday.

鈥淭hose temps won鈥檛 be nearly as cold as what we experienced this week,鈥� Mainhart said. 鈥淲e are looking at single digits and highs in the teens and 20s.鈥�