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Warming Station in Alexandria to Close Amid Rising Temperatures

The City of Alexandria has announced the closure of its recently established warming station, which will close on Saturday. This decision follows a recent cold snap that brought overnight temperatures down to the 20s in Central Louisiana.

Unfortunately, the frigid weather has been linked to the tragic death of a 65-year-old man in Alexandria, confirmed by the Rapides Parish coroner as being due to hypothermia. The Louisiana Department of Health has not disclosed the man’s identity, but a friend has shared her memories on social media.

Ann Lowrey, CEO of CLASS, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting individuals with HIV and other health issues, spoke fondly of her late friend. In her post, Lowrey expressed gratitude for the city’s quick response to the extreme weather, despite the sad circumstances. “Although it’s too late for my friend, I’m thankful that action was taken,” she stated.

Lowrey advocates for further initiatives from nonprofits partnered with the government, calling for the establishment of both warming and cooling stations to serve unhoused individuals during harsh weather conditions. “I believe that every individual deserves access to shelter in such situations, and I’m dedicated to doing all I can to assist,” she affirmed.

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In response to inquiries about the decision to open the warming station after the reported death, a city representative indicated that the initiative was taken following a thorough evaluation of forecasts from the National Weather Service, despite temperatures not hitting the city’s designated “trigger” for such action.

A release issued on Friday noted that city officials had been closely monitoring weather developments and concluded that the need for a warming station had diminished due to expected milder conditions ahead. “We are prioritizing the safety of our citizens, and our decision reflects current weather predictions,” the release stated.

As for the identity of the deceased gentleman, the Rapides Parish Coroner’s Office has refrained from disclosing any details, citing the need to notify his next of kin before sharing further information.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria to close warming shelter as temperatures start to rise

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