As a blast of winter weather threatens to bring snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures to the Tennessee Valley this weekend, emergency agencies and nonprofit organizations across North Alabama are opening warming centers to keep residents safe.
Among them, the Downtown Rescue Mission in Huntsville is expanding its response, remaining open 24 hours a day to provide warm shelter, hot meals, clothing and showers for individuals and families in need.
“We want the homeless community to know that they’re valued and the Mission is here for them,” said Jonathan Walsh, executive vice president of development for the Downtown Rescue Mission. “Come get a hot meal, a warm shower, and a safe place to sleep. No one should be on the streets during this extremely cold weather.”
The Downtown Rescue Mission, located at 1400 Evangel Drive NW, is accepting guests around the clock. First-time guests may check in at any time, while returning guests must arrive by 5 p.m.
A government-issued photo ID is required, and families with children should bring birth certificates. For safety, all guests are searched upon entry, and drugs and weapons are not permitted on campus. Guests may bring up to 25 pounds of belongings.
In addition to Huntsville’s 24/7 shelter, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency has released an updated list of warming centers and stations available throughout North Alabama as the storm approaches.
Regional warming centers by county include:
- Madison County: Multiple options in Huntsville, including The Livin’ Room, the Salvation Army, First Stop and the Downtown Rescue Mission. Transportation assistance is available through Huntsville Public Transit and the Huntsville Police Department during overnight hours.
- Limestone County: Community shelters in Athens and Moulton, along with facilities in Lawrence County such as county-operated shelters on Court Street and Almon Drive.
- Lauderdale and Colbert counties: Overnight shelters in Florence through the Salvation Army and Home Free Haven, along with community shelters in Sheffield, Cherokee, Leighton and surrounding Shoals communities.
- Cullman County: Warming stations at churches, civic centers, senior centers and the Donald E. Green Active Adult Center, with some locations operating overnight during extreme cold.
- Jackson and DeKalb counties: Community centers, churches and fire halls in Scottsboro, Fort Payne, Stevenson, Section and surrounding towns, with residents encouraged to call ahead for location details.
- Morgan County: Overnight shelters in Decatur operated by Hands Across Decatur and the Salvation Army, offering meals, clothing and warm sleeping arrangements.
- Marshall County: Numerous daytime warming locations including libraries, recreation centers, senior centers and churches across Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Guntersville, and surrounding communities.
Officials stress that hours, capacity and requirements may vary by location and encourage residents to confirm availability before traveling.
With temperatures expected to fall well below freezing and road conditions potentially deteriorating, emergency officials urge residents to plan ahead, limit travel and check on elderly neighbors, those with special needs and anyone without reliable heat.
Community members looking to support cold weather response efforts can donate to the Downtown Rescue Mission at downtownrescuemission.org or contribute supplies and assistance through local warming centers.
The Downtown Rescue Mission has served North Alabama and southern Tennessee since 1975, providing emergency shelter, meals, medical services and long-term life transformation programs for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
A full listing of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency’s verified warming centers, including address details and available hours, can be found here. Additional updates on shelter availability and weather conditions are expected as the storm approaches.
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