SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — January marks the beginning of the new year, but also the coldest month for New York State. Temperatures dip into the teens and lower, and average January snowfall sits at 12 inches. 

The cold and winter storms come with risks, and it can be life saving to know what resources are available in the event of a weather emergency, whether it be for you, a loved one or a neighbor in need. 

Sullivan County offers two warming centers, open seven days a week from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. until mid April. These are located at the United Methodist Church, 170 North Main St. in Liberty and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 St. John St. in Monticello.

In a press release from the county announcing the opening of the warming centers, Sullivan County Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner John Liddle said, “While last winter was relatively mild, we continue to have significant usage of both shelters.” 

Liddle highlighted the necessity of the warming centers amidst the county’s persistent housing issues. “The shortage of affordable and supportive housing inventory in the county continues to increase the number of people who utilize the warming centers during the colder months,” Liddle said.

The county advises those in need of heat or shelter this winter and not in immediate life-threatening jeopardy to call the non-emergency line of their local police department, or the sheriff’s office at 845/794-7100. Police have the phone number of the county’s on-call temporary assistance housing specialist. 

If someone is concerned for their ongoing safety because they cannot afford adequate supplies or to heat their homes, they can contact county social services at 845/292-0100 during normal business hours to request SNAP or Home Energy Assistance Program benefits, Dan Hust, Sullivan County Director of Communications, said. See brief about extra assistance for heating resouces through HEAP on page 2.

For people over 50 seeking help, the Sullivan County Office for the Aging is a resource and can be reached at 845/807-0241. Anyone who is a veteran or an immediate family member of a veteran can call the county’s Veterans Service Agency at 845/807-0233.

Another resource is the county’s community assistance center, which is able to provide assistance for various needs. It can be reached at  845/807-0925 during the week.

Transportation in rural areas like Sullivan can pose a challenge, and the county can deploy aid on a case-by-case basis. Hust said,  “If someone is staying outdoors or in a place that is unfit for human habitation, they can request assistance with getting to a warming station via police non-emergency numbers.” In addition, warming centers are often offered by towns and municipalities in the case of extreme weather and storm events. Contact town governments to inquire on town-specific extreme weather resources.