St. Louis officials announced a rapid expansion of emergency shelter capacity in preparation for an anticipated cold snap this weekend. According to the City of St. Louis website, the municipal government and community partners are acting ahead of a potential Code Blue activation to ensure safety for residents as temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.
National Weather Service meteorologists alerted the city earlier this week that the St. Louis area would experience low temperatures over the next several days. In response, the City’s Emergency Management Agency convened a coordination meeting that included representatives from the National Weather Service, the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Department of Human Services, as required by Executive Order 99.
The outcome of that meeting is the securing of 100 overflow shelter beds, raising the total number of available beds to approximately 500. The additional space is designated for men, women, and families and will be open from Friday, November 13, at 6 p.m. through Sunday night, November 15.
Residents in need of shelter are instructed to call 2‑1‑1, where United Way operators can identify which shelters have space available. The City emphasized that this proactive measure builds on the successes of last year’s Winter Weather Plan, which helped protect vulnerable populations during previous cold events.
City officials also noted that more information about the Code Blue program will be released when the initiative officially begins on December 1, 2026.
What’s next: St. Louis residents who require emergency shelter should contact 2‑1‑1 as soon as possible. Additional updates on Code Blue activation and shelter locations will be posted on the City’s website in the coming days.
Sources: stlouis-mo.gov
