Frozen water lines in City of Oswego causes shelter to open in Laker Hall
Frigid temperatures have frozen wa- ter lines leaving Oswego neighborhoods without water.
Mayor Thomas Gillen declared a local state of emergency for the city and a shelter has been opened at Oswego State’s Laker Hall. With the help of the American Red Cross of Central New York, the shelter was opened Wednesday night at 10 p.m.
In a release from the Oswego County Emergency Management Office, residents could be without water for “an extended period of time, potentially for several days.”
The city is working with the Department of Public Works to restore the frozen pipes to working order.
“We know of 25 instances of frozen wa- ter lines in the city right now,” Gillen said. The mayor called upon residents to check on their neighbors to make sure they are safe, especially the elderly or disabled.
On Feb. 23, the Mayor’s Office released suggestions for residents to prevent water pipes from freezing. Some of these tips in- clude keeping garage doors closed if water supply lines run through there; opening kitchen and bathroom cabinets to let warm air reach plumbing; letting cold water drip from the faucet; keeping the thermostat at the same temperature during the day and night and setting your thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit if going away for extended periods of time.
Vice President for Student Affairs Jerald Woolfolk is serving as the point person with the Red Cross, according to a release from Director of Public Affairs Julie Blissert. The release said that a large-screen TV and soft seating in Laker Hall’s auxiliary gym as well as cookies were sent to those at the shelter.
