Emergency Shelters

An Emergency Shelter is a place for people to live temporarily when they cannot live in their current residence. The main difference between a warming center and emergency shelter is that an emergency shelter typically specializes in people fleeing a specific type of situation, such as natural or man-made disasters. Another difference from a warming center is that people staying in emergency shelters are more likely to be provided places to sleep or eat for days to months.

Warming Centers

A Warming Center is a facility that has been opened for short term operations due to a specific emergency or event. They are normally opened when temperatures or a combination of precipitation, wind chill, wind and temperatures have or may become dangerous. Their paramount purpose is the prevention of death and injury related to exposure to the elements. Warming centers can help stranded motorists, or residents that have lost critical services. Some warming centers may provide limited food and sleep capabilities.

View a list of Henry County Warming Stations

Cooling Stations

A Cooling Station is a facility that has been opened for short term operations due to a specific emergency or event. They are normally opened when temperatures have or may become dangerous. Their paramount purpose is the prevention of death and injury related to exposure to the elements. Cooling Stations can help stranded motorists or residents that have lost critical services or just need somewhere to escape the heat. Some warming centers may provide limited food and sleep capabilities.

View a list of Henry County Cooling Stations

Henry County Assistance

The Henry County Office of Emergency Management will assist local agencies in deciding if a warming center, cooling station or emergency shelter is the best option. Whichever is opened, the decision will be based on the estimated duration needed, severity of the incident and/or number of persons displaced and resources available.

Contact Us

The Henry County Office of Emergency Management is staffed with part time personnel and volunteers. To contact the office call 765-521-0582, if no answer call Central Dispatch at 765-529-4890.