The City of New Bedford and Catholic Social Services are rolling out new protocols for sheltering those in need during extreme weather conditions.

The Sister Rose and Sister Grace shelters operate regularly, sheltering men and women respectively. However, the complex is designed to handle more inhabitants during colder or more brutal weather conditions.

Previously, the City of New Bedford was responsible for deciding when to open the emergency overflow shelter. Now that the official Catholic Social Services shelter is open, the City is passing the responsibility of deciding when to open the emergency shelter to CSS.

The overflow shelter will activate when the existing shelter is at capacity and the temperature is expected to be at or under 28 degrees, or the wind chill is expected to be at or below 25 degrees, or when blizzard conditions are predicted.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420