Richmond activates inclement weather shelter early as city braces for cold nights

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond officials are opening up the city's inclement weather shelter over a week earlier than usual due to forecasted low overnight temperatures.

Beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter, located at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave., will be open to provide a warm place for those in need to spend the upcoming cold nights.

Per a Tuesday press release from the city, the shelter is opening prior to the regular cold weather shelter season -- which is Nov. 15 through April 15 -- because it's forecasted that temperatures will drop overnight in the upcoming days.

While the shelter will operate on a more regular schedule on Nov. 15, during this early activation, the shelter will be open to those in need for four overnight periods. Those operating hours are as follows:

• Night 1: Thursday, Nov. 6 through Friday, Nov. 7
  • Opens at: 5 p.m. on Thursday
  • Closes at: 8 a.m. on Friday
• Night 2: Monday, Nov. 10 through Tuesday, Nov. 11
  • Opens at: 5 p.m. on Monday
  • Closes at: 11 a.m. on Tuesday
• Night 3: Tuesday, Nov. 11 through Wednesday, Nov. 12
  • Opens at: 5 p.m. on Tuesday
  • Closes at: 8 a.m. on Wednesday
• Night 4: Thursday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 14
  • Opens at: 5 p.m. on Thursday
  • Closes at: 8 a.m. on Friday

If you would like to stay at the shelter on one of these nights, you are asked to arrive by 10 p.m. to ensure you can be checked in and placed before lights out.

GRTC Route 1 can be used to access the shelter, as it has nearby stops along Chamberlayne Parkway, the city said. You can plan your trip by using the GRTC Transit On The Go app or by visiting GRTC's website.

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“The City of Richmond remains committed to ensuring that every resident has a safe place to go when temperatures drop to dangerous levels,” said Mayor Danny Avula in the release. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with The Salvation Army and the many community organizations working together to protect our most vulnerable neighbors.”

You can find more information about Richmond's cold weather response and resources that are available to you online.