Wind chill hits minus 30 in eastern Nebraska

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By The Associated Press

OMAHA — It was so cold in Omaha — down to minus 15 — that homeless people didn’t come out for a free meal and anyone stuck working out in Thursday’s frigid weather had to bundle up.

Salvation Army Spokeswoman Susan Eustice said Thursday that her organization operates two warming stations during the day and a roving canteen at night.

The canteen starts its rounds at 5:30 each evening, offering free food and some winter clothing to homeless or otherwise needy people at three or four stops.

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(LJS file)

(LJS file)

She said the canteen has helped an average of 250 total each night since it started operating on Dec. 1.

But the overnight total was only 148 overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

The Salvation Army workers blamed the severe cold.

The air temperature dropped from zero at 5:52 p.m. Wednesday down to minus 15 just 12 hours later, at 5:52 a.m. Thursday.

About 425 people have spent the night at the Siena-Francis Homeless shelter on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Executive director Mike Saklar said many of those people chose to sleep on the shelter’s floors rather than stay outside in the elements.

“Our facilities are bursting at the seams,’’ said Saklar, whose downtown shelter offers about 340 beds.

He said the number of people seeking shelter each night has increased by about 45 because of the cold weather, and he doesn’t believe economic problems have played much of a role in the increase.

The temperatures in Omaha rose to minus 4 by noon Central Thursday, but the wind chill still registered minus 15.

“It makes me miserable,’’ Cox Communications technician Steve Schenkelberg said midday Thursday before heading out.

Schenkelberg said his biggest problem in the cold is keeping his hands warm, because some tasks can’t be done with gloves on. But the 10-year-veteran repairman for the cable, phone and Internet company said he’s usually OK in cold weather as long as he “dresses for the occasion’’ in several layers, including long underwear.

For firefighters, the cold weather and wind can create serious hazards. Omaha Fire Capt. Pete Andrews said the pumps on the trucks tend to malfunction, hoses can freeze and firefighters wear out more quickly.

“It takes its toll on you pretty fast,’’ Andrews said while waiting to be called out into the cold on Thursday.

Plus, the water firefighters use can quickly become ice, which will weigh down buildings and create slippery spots.

On winter medical calls, Andrews said he’ll use six men instead of the usual four to carry stretchers, ensuring better stability.

“It could be a disaster for us and them if we’re not careful,’’ Andrews said.

A few blocks away from the fire station in northwest Omaha, garbage truck driver James Finley said he’s fortunate he can spend most of his early morning shift inside his truck, which has good heaters.

But he still made sure to wear several layers of clothes, because he has to get out and open up the fences around trash bins at many restaurants.

“This is the worst in my 13 years,’’ Finley said while taking a coffee break inside his truck.

The National Weather Service said Nebraska’s low temperature so far Thursday was minus 18 in Tekamah, which is 40 miles north of Omaha, near the Missouri River.

Wind chills of minus 30 were common throughout eastern Nebraska early Thursday.

Other cold spots overnight in Nebraska included Fremont, Omaha and Wayne at minus 15, Blair at minus 13 and Plattsmouth at minus 9.

Many schools opened two hours later than normal Thursday, but only a few closed for the day.

Relative warmth returns this weekend, with temperatures reaching the low to mid-30s in eastern Nebraska.

Associated Press Writer Nelson Lampe contributed to this report.