KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — People across Tennessee are finding ways to prepare for the cold weather—from making sure their tires are ready to bringing their pets inside.
But what if you do not have a place to stay warm?
There are warming shelters throughout East Tennessee that welcome anyone that needs a place to stay during the freezing weather.
Here are some warming shelters that are available to the public:
Warming Tent at Knoxville Salvation Army
The City of Knoxville said it partnered with the Salvation Army and the Knox County Government to build a large warming tent at 409 North Broadway for unsheltered people. There, they will be able to take refuge and stay warm from dangerously cold weather. Doors open Thursday night and it will stay open until Tuesday morning.
Cocke County Volunteer Fire Stations
The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said volunteer fire departments across the county were accepting people who needed to stay warm during the winter weather event. Their addresses are listed below.
- Cosby Volunteer Fire Department Station 1: 3292 Cosby Highway
- Cosby Volunteer Fire Department Station 2: 105 Tennessee 32
- Del Rio Volunteer Fire Departments: 482 Highway 107 and 480-TN 107
- Grassy Fork Volunteer Fire Department Station 1: 4110 Big Creek road
- Long Creek Volunteer Fire Department: 924 Gunter Corner Road
The Olde Church in Cumberland Gap
The Olde Church, located at 502 Pennlyn Avenue, is accepting people who need to stay warm during a dangerously cold winter weather event on Thursday.
Tex Turner Arena on LMU Campus in Harrogate
The Tex Turner Arena, located at 330 Mars-Debusk Parkway in Harrogate, is open to the public while frigid temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills sweep through the area.
207 Montgomery Street in Tazewell
The Claiborne County Mayor said that due to dangerously cold wind chills, three warming shelters were opened across the county. The location at 207 Montgomery Street, located down the road from the Tazewell Chamber of Commerce and County Court Clerk, would be monitored while it is open.
Marcella Center in Monroe County
The Marcella Center at 117 Washington Road in Sweetwater will accept people to stay between Thursday and Monday, 9 p.m. through 9 a.m. If they have enough volunteers, they also said they would stay open longer. Anyone who needs help in Monroe County can call 423-442-3911, or 423-519-7100, for resources.
Unconditional Love Ministry in Athens
The Unconditional Love Ministry at 204 West Washington Street in Athens is accepting people who need a warm place to stay, according to the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency. They can be contacted through Facebook, or by calling them at 865-335-1870.
Monroe County Justice Center
The Monroe County Sheriff opened the Monroe County Justice Center, located at 4500 New Highway 68 in Madisonville, as a warming shelter during the cold weather.
KARM
The Knox Area Rescue Ministries are calling unsheltered people to come to them for a place to stay during the freezing temperatures.
United Way of Blount County
A warming shelter at First Baptist Church of Maryville will be open Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. and remain open through 7 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 26.
Church of the Savior UCC, Knoxville
One of the Community Action Committee's outreach members, Eric Johnson, is organizing a temporary warming shelter at Magnolia UMC located at 2700 Magnolia Ave. from Friday, Dec. 23 until Monday, Dec. 26.
MATS Warming Station
The Ministerial Association Temporary Shelter Warming Station will be open in the evenings from Thursday, Dec. 22 until Wednesday, Dec. 28.
MATS is also partnering with First Presbyterian to offer a day center that will be open through Christmas during daytime hours so everyone has a warm place to stay.
MATS is open on nights when temperatures fall below freezing.
The Harlan County, Kentucky Courthouse
According to Dan Mosley's Facebook post, the Harlan County Courthouse will serve as a warming center starting this Friday, Dec. 23 at 7 a.m. and will stay open until Christmas Day.
First Baptist Church Maryville
According to Purpose in Valuing Others Today, a nonprofit in Blount County, the First Baptist Church in Maryville will be open to people who need to stay warm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The church is located at 202 W Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville.