Council for the Homeless issues severe weather alert in Clark County for tonightUpdated 12 hours ago

Council for the Homeless issued a severe weather alert tonight for the emergency shelter system in Clark County.

The announcement increases shelter capacity and alerts local organizations to provide additional resources. The announcement comes as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures will drop to 32 degrees early Wednesday morning in Vancouver.

People experiencing homelessness have a much higher risk than the general population of developing hypothermia or frostbite due to exposure.

People who need housing and shelter assistance should call Council for the Homeless’ Housing Hotline at 360-695-9677, which operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on holidays and weekends.

“Particularly in the dry cold, people with limited access to water can become dehydrated because thirst cues decrease, but the body uses a lot of moisture to warm the air; people have fewer thirst cues in the dry cold. No need to hyper-hydrate; just have water or warm drinks available when possible,” Marlow Macht, Clark County EMS medical program director, said in a news release.