Winnipeg residents dealing with frigid temperatures

CTV’s Harrison Shin looks at how Winnipeggers are working to keep warm amid freezing temperatures.

Several businesses and organizations across Winnipeg are warning residents to be prepared, with windchill making it feels like minus 40 or colder across the province.

For the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope at 180 Henry Avenue, it has been a busy week. Clothing, hot food and drinks are going out to bring warmth.

“We have seen more folks coming in needing assistance due to the cold weather,” Kristin Marand, communications manager for the organization’s prairies division, told CTV News.

“We have made sure that we have more staff on hand during this extreme cold to help with an uptick in folks that are needing to come in and get warm or spend the night inside.”

It’s not just people who need to get warm – so do pets and stray animals. Jamie Murphy, behavioural outreach facilitator for the Winnipeg Humane Society, said a general rule is if humans feel cold, dogs are also cold.

“Our dogs are just as susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite as we are,” she said. “Sometimes, dogs who are thick-coated can be out there a little big longer.”

Murphy said some important signs showing dogs are feeling the chill include shivering, faster breathing and lower energy. For smaller animals like cats, they might make their ways into engine bays, finding warm shelter.

“Anytime you start your vehicle, give it a little bang on the hood to check and see, because a lot of times – cats or other small animals might crawl into the engine bay.”

Owner of Maxim Muffler and Auto Marco Palumbo said his shop has seen an uptick in flat tires and power steering issues. Palumbo is urging drivers to keep up with their maintenance.

“It can be costly. The other inconvenient part is getting the tow. When it is super cold, tow trucks are eight, to 10 – 12 hours behind schedule. So you want to be proactive if you can.”