Milwaukee Activates Emergency Cold Weather Response as Temperatures Plummet

Mayor Johnson Issues Emergency Alert as Bitter Cold Grips Milwaukee

Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County officials have issued an emergency alert for Friday, January 23, 2026, as a dangerous cold front moves into the region. With wind chills forecasted to reach as low as 40 degrees below zero throughout the day and into the weekend, the city government has shifted its focus toward life-saving measures and emergency service coordination.

The Mayor urged residents this morning to limit time outdoors and to check on vulnerable neighbors. In response to the life-threatening conditions, the city has officially activated its network of winter warming locations with extended hours beginning today. These sites are designed to provide a safe haven for individuals and families experiencing housing instability or those without adequate heating.

Warming Center Locations and Operations

Several facilities across Milwaukee have been designated as emergency shelters with specific operating schedules for Friday:

• Guest House of Milwaukee: Located at 1216 N 13th Street, this site is open all day Friday for men only.
• Repairers of the Breach: Located at 1335 W Vliet Street, this center is open all day Friday for single adults.
• St. Ben's Parish: Located at 930 W State Street, providing 24-hour service through the weekend.
• Unity Lutheran Church: Located at 1025 E Oklahoma Avenue, open all day Friday.
• St. Vincent de Paul: Located at 931 W Madison Street, open today from 11:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Residents in need of assistance or transportation to these locations are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to be connected with the nearest available resources.

City Hall Departmental Sessions

While the extreme weather has forced the postponement of some non-essential outdoor city maintenance, formal government business continues at City Hall. The Department of Neighborhood Services is scheduled to hold an official Animal Hearing today at 1:30 p.m. The session, held in Room 301-B of City Hall, will address local code enforcement and community safety issues. This departmental meeting remains on the agenda as part of the city’s commitment to maintaining essential regulatory functions despite the weather emergency.

Broader Political Context

The emergency response comes as the city enters the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year. Local leaders, including County Executive David Crowley, have highlighted that the current emergency operations are being supported by recent budget allocations intended to strengthen the city's social safety net. Simultaneously, at the state level, Governor Tony Evers and legislative leaders are reportedly nearing a deal on a $125 million package to address PFAS contamination, which would provide significant grant funding to Milwaukee and other municipalities for water quality improvements later this year.