ROCKLAND – Even if the Midcoast avoids wide-spread power outages this week, extreme cold temperatures forecasted for this weekend are prompting Rockland officials to revisit the need for warming centers.

“My concern is, if we lose power, and on Friday it gets very, very cold, will there be places for people to go?” Mayor Valli Geiger asked during the January 3 agenda-setting meeting. “A lot of people are looking at extreme cold in their houses.”

Though South Elementary School is a designated Red Cross overnight shelter, and has been for years, the City has to rely on the humanitarian nonprofit to initiate if and when the shelter will open.

“The Red Cross is spread between Topsham and, essentially, Castine,” Fire/EMS Chief Chris Whytock said. “They’ve got two groups of volunteers that are available to open two shelters if needed. I don’t like the storm. But I don’t foresee a large power outage problem. My concern is the cold for the weekend.

Rockland has yet to officially open a daytime warming center in the aftermath of power loss. However, since the storm in October that left tens of thousands of Mainers without power, City employees have taken a closer look at what buildings can be wired to a large-scale generator, as well as publicly accessible.

During the meeting, Whytock listed three options open to the public during business hours on Friday: the public library, the rec center, and City Hall.

For Saturday, the Flanagan Recreation Center opens at 10 a.m., and will be open into the evening. The library is opened from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

As the storm progresses, and the weekend nears, Whytock and the City will assess power outages and whether overnight sheltering will be necessary.

“If the need exists, then I think we are ready to follow through,” he said. “I have received, I don’t know, half a dozen emails from people volunteering to staff stuff overnight. It’s just going to be up to the City where we go.”

For the worst of Thursday’s storm, travelling is not recommended, according to Whytock.

But, “obviously, if people need help, they know to call us,” he said.

Related story:

Rockland seeks building for future warming center

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com