Here's hoping that Omaha Steve and Marta have warm blankets (and perhaps hot cocoa).

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Alert: ...BRUTALLY COLD WIND CHILLS EXPECTED TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...

.THE COLDEST AIRMASS OF THE WINTER SO FAR WILL BE INVADING THE
AREA OVERNIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING. TEMPERATURES DROPPING BELOW
ZERO COMBINED WITH BRISK NORTH WINDS WILL PUSH WIND CHILLS INTO
THE 20 TO 35 BELOW RANGE OVERNIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH NOON
WEDNESDAY. THE COLDEST WIND CHILLS WILL AFFECT NORTHEAST NEBRASKA
AND WEST CENTRAL IOWA...BUT ALL AREAS WILL EXPERIENCE DANGEROUS
COLD.

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
WEDNESDAY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES...THE COLDEST WIND CHILLS WILL REACH 25 TO 29
BELOW OVERNIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING. EXPECT WIND CHILLS
COLDER THAN 20 BELOW TO BEGIN BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM...WITH
WIND CHILLS IN THE 25 TO 29 BELOW RANGE BETWEEN ABOUT 6 AM AND
11 AM.

* OTHER IMPACTS...FROST BITE CAN OCCUR IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES
WHEN SKIN IS EXPOSED TO THESE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS.

Instructions: A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.
Target Area:
Boone
Butler
Cass
Colfax
Douglas
Platte
Sarpy
Saunders

As you would expect, all of the local shelters are at or over capacity, and despite the generosity of donors, organizations like Salvation Army that hand out coats are saying they are in short supply.

E.T.A. - AFIAK, OS and Mrs. OS are fine. I'm not intending to imply they are freezing. It's more in the nature of a shout-out to a fellow wind-chill sufferer.

E.T.A. - Two of the local organizations that are providing a lot of help:

http://www.opendoormission.org/
http://www.sienafrancis.org/

[BlueJazz]

1. Warm thoughts and caring go out to them.

[KT2000]

2. that looks awful -

hope everyone stays inside and is able to keep warm.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

4. Two thoughts

1. Heat aid matters: http://www.mudomaha.com/blog/heat-aid-fund
2. Heat aid matters even more to our Native American neighbors:

http://www.lakotayouth.org/family/heat-assistance/
http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/difference/utilityhelp.shtml
http://re-member.org/projects/trailer-skirting.aspx
http://re-member.org/projects/liveable-homes.aspx
http://www.heartsofthesacredspirit.org/main-programs#!__main-programs
http://www.treeswaterpeople.org/programs/tribal_renewable_energy/tribal_renewable_energy.html
http://www.villageearth.org/global-affiliates/wounded-knee-tiospaye-project
http://www.nativeprogress.org/index.php/en/programs/wood-program-143
http://www.naha-inc.org/programs/wal-mart

[Lifelong Protester]

3. I hope everyone keeps warm, and an eye out

for neighbors and any animals left outdoors.

We already closed school for tomorrow. Wind Chill to be in the -35 to -40 range here.

[freshwest]

5. OS also posted an OP requesting people take care of their pets. I added that wildlife will need more

food like suet for the birds. A source of unfrozen water is also a good idea. They live in an area with harsh winters and love life. What more could you say about someone?

Best wishes and take care, all those affected by this cold weather. Terrible to think about those who are homeless in this kind of weather. It will be very bad.

Nice OP.

[progressoid]

6. Yep. Schools are closed here today.

Ironically, further north where it is colder many are still open. (They are used to it)

[Algernon Moncrieff]

7. To me, garbage collection being canceled in CoBluffs, but still on in Omaha was a head scratcher

Not to go Paul Harvey here, but you have to feel for the owners of dairies, ranches, and feedlots. For them, there are no days-called-on-account-of-weather.