As a stretch of cold weather closes in on our community, the City of Evansville – along with numerous partner organizations – want to remind residents of the resources available for these who need help keeping warm in cold temperatures.
When temperatures drop beneath a certain designated point, organizations will declare a “White Flag Night” in order to provide additional emergency shelter space during freezing weather conditions. These conditions vary a bit based on the organization – United Caring Service, for example, declares a White Flag Night when the temperature will be 40 degrees or colder for three hours or more; while Evansville Rescue Mission declares a White Flag Night when the “feels like” temperature drops below 35 degrees.
Below, please find the list of resources available during White Flag events:
- United Caring Shelters (UCS) will call a White Flag every night when temperatures will be 40 degrees or colder for three hours or more.
- Check in for UCS WF will be 8:00 PM. Men, Women, and Children will be allowed in, no couples in cots, mats, or mattresses from outside UCS are allowed.
- Guests who are currently banned/barred from UCS at the time of WF will be allowed in.
- Check out for UCS WF will be 7:00 AM and guest are allowed to stay in the UCS Day Shelter the following day, use the showers, laundry facilities, and eat three (3) meals.
- United Caring Services understand that addiction is a medical and/or behavioral issue, and substance use outside of UCS WF hours should not be considered a reason to exclude someone from overnight shelter. However, to have a safe and harmonious community, we must insist that everyone makes every effort to behave safely and appropriately during UCS WF hours. UCS will not tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs in our building or anywhere on our property. UCS WF guests are subject to rules and community expectations throughout their stay and refusal or inability to observe these rules may result in being asked to leave for the night
- Evansville Rescue Mission (ERM) WF will be implemented when the “feels like” temperature is below 35 degrees.
- Check in for ERM WF will be 8:00 PM. Guests will have access to designated dorms and restrooms within the Weather Contingency wing. Guests are restricted to this area and are not permitted in standard resident dorms or restroom areas.
- Individuals with minor violations may access the facility during White Flag but will be asked to leave if another rules is broken.
- Check out for ERM WF will be 6:00 AM. Guests may stay in the atrium from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Standard rules of conduct apply.
- Overnight guests at ERM must be male, aged 18 or older, and be able to pass a breathalyzer test. Guests listed on the sex offender registry or permanently banned from the facility are not eligible.
- Warming Centers: provided at various locations throughout Evansville
- Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library (EVPL) will serve as a warming center during our normal operating hours at EVPL Central Library. We always commit ourselves to being open and accessible for heating and/or cooling. During these times, everyone must follow our EVPL Code of Conduct, and anyone who has been suspended from using the library will still be suspended during weather events. Additionally, if the library closes due to truly inclement weather, EVPL Central Library would not be available during that time.
- Location: 200 SE MLK Jr BLVD, Evansville, IN 47713 (corner of MLK & Walnut St)
- Times are as follows (excluding holidays or emergency weather events):
- Monday – Thursday: 9 AM to 8 PM
- Friday: 9 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 1 PM to 5 PM
- CK Newsome Center, provided by the City of Evansville, will serve as a warming center during normal operating hours. All guests are subject to the rules of conduct of the center while in attendance.
- Location: 100 E Walnut St, Evansville, IN 47713
- Times are as follows (excluding holidays or emergency weather events):
- Monday – Friday: 8 AM to 5 PM
- Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library (EVPL) will serve as a warming center during our normal operating hours at EVPL Central Library. We always commit ourselves to being open and accessible for heating and/or cooling. During these times, everyone must follow our EVPL Code of Conduct, and anyone who has been suspended from using the library will still be suspended during weather events. Additionally, if the library closes due to truly inclement weather, EVPL Central Library would not be available during that time.
