The exterior of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes on Jan. 21, 2025 surrounded by snow and trees.
For the first time, The Nature Center At Shaker Lakes opened as a warming center on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Credit: Lila Mills / Signal Cleveland

The good news is that the National Weather Service predicts that temperatures in Northeast Ohio will soar to 24 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. The bad news is the deep freeze continues. The forecast calls for another brutally cold night tonight, with a low of -7, and a high of just 14 on Wednesday.

Cleveland City Hall will be closed again on Wednesday which impacts some city services. Residential waste collection will be suspended for another day. If you already put your trash out on the curb and need to add more, that is okay.

“To accommodate delays, no citations will be issued for setouts exceeding cart capacity for those impacted,” according to the city’s Instagram.

Cleveland will continue to operate its warming centers. These rec centers will be open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday:

• Michael Zone, 6301 Lorain Ave., 216-664-3373

• Lonnie Burten, 2511 E. 46th St., 216-664-4139

• Collinwood, 16300 Lakeshore Ave., 216-420-8323

• Zelma George, 3155 Martin L. King Jr. Blvd., 216-420-8800

For people who need a warm place after, transportation will be provided to a nearby men’s or women’s shelter, according to the city’s website

Making the best of freezing temperatures

If you don’t have to go out in the cold, don’t. If you must head out, remember to cover your head. Folks at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes remind us to:

  • Wear a hat! 40% of your body heat is lost from your head.
  • Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold.
  • Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves.
  • Always carry a charged cell phone and tell others of your travel plans.

The center, located at 2600 S. Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, plans to be open as a warming center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. The center is always free and open to the public for free hot chocolate by the fire all winter, but this week is the first time the center has opened specifically as a warming center. 

“We’re always asking, ‘What more can we do?’” said Peter Bode, the center’s president and CEO. 

Here are some resources to help you get through the rest of the deep freeze.

Seasonal shelter for the winter cold

Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church (11115 Kinsman Rd.), in partnership with The Metanoia Project, is now open as a seasonal overnight shelter. The shelter can house 35 adults. Service is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelter hours will be 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day with the exception of Tuesdays, when it opens at 8:30 p.m.

Warming centers in Cuyahoga County

Here are warming center options in the inner-ring suburbs. For cities farther from Cleveland, check this map. But call ahead to confirm.

Cleveland Heights

Cleveland Heights Community Center
1 Monticello Boulevard
(216) 691-7373 x1
6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Cleveland Heights Office on Aging
40 Severance Circle
(216) 691-7377
6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brook Park

Brook Park Recreation Center
17400 Holland Road
(216) 433-1545
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn Senior Center 
7727 Memphis Avenue
(216) 635-4262 
Jan. 21: until 4:00 p.m.
Jan 22: 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

John M. Coyne Recreation Center
7600 Memphis Avenue
(216) 351-5334
7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fairview Park

Fairview Park Senior Life Office
20769 Lorain Road
(440) 356-4439
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lakewood

Cove Community Center
12525 Lake Avenue
(216) 529-5061
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

Maple Heights

City of Maple Heights Office on Aging
15901 Libby Road
(216) 587-5481
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parma

Donna Smallwood Senior Activities Center
7010 Powers Boulevard
(440) 885-8800
7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

South Euclid 

South Euclid Community Center
1370 Victory Drive
(216) 291-0771 
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Euclid City Hall and Police Department
1349 S. Green Road, 2nd floor
5 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Warrensville Heights 

Warrensville Heights Senior Center
4567 Green Road
(216) 587-1250
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stay warm and safe at home

If you are using a space heater to add warmth, Cleveland Fire Lt. Mike Norman shared some essential safety tips.

“If you are using a space heater, number one, space heaters need space,” Norman said in a video posted to the fire department’s Instagram page. Keep clothes, furniture and paper more than three feet from the heating unit. Second, a space heater needs to be plugged directly into the wall.

For more cold weather fire prevention tips watch this video:

If you need help at home

Here’s who to call:

• Emergencies: 911

• Non-emergency, snow-related service requests: 311

• Social services for seniors and people needing shelter: 211

• Power outages and downed lines: Cleveland Public Power, 216-664-3156, or FirstEnergy, 888-544-4877

• Burst water mains: Cleveland Water, 216-664-3060

Keep pets inside

Dogs and cats are vulnerable to extreme cold too. If you see a pet left outside, call your local police or the Cleveland Animal Protective League’s Animal Cruelty Hotline, 216-377-1630.

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