Warming Centers Open As Temps Drop In North Alabama

TENNESSEE VALLEY-Several local agencies and organizations are planning to open their doors next week as temperatures in North Alabama continue to fall. If you are in need of a place to be warm and safe check the list below for a center near you:

Colbert County

Sheffield Parks and Recreation is making the Michael Center at 1001 E 17th St in Sheffield available as a warming center starting immediately until 8:00 am Saturday January 11, 2025. It will reopen as a warming center at 8:00 am on Monday January 13, 2025, and remain open until 8:00 am on Saturday January 18, 2025.

The Mike Johnson Recreation Center at 2901 19th Ave. NE, Sheffield, will be open to the public for warming and restrooms only, not long-term sheltering.

Community storm shelters in the following locations will be open to the public for warming and restrooms only, not long-term sheltering: Ford City, 14439 County Line Road, Muscle Shoals; Leighton, 8856 Main St., Leighton; Littleville, 1450 Jackson Highway, Russellville; and Cherokee, 1211 Second St., Cherokee.

Cullman County

• Hanceville
  • Trinity Pentecostal Church
    • 307 Whaley Ave NE: Will open Monday and will remain available as long as needed during the cold temperatures
• Fairview
  • Etha Baptist Church
    • 8417 County Road 1545: Beginning Monday, will provide shelter during the cold night hours and will continue throughout the week
• Dodge City
  • Dodge City Town Hall
    • 130 Howard Circle: The basement of the town hall will be accessible throughout the cold temperatures
• Cullman
  • Donald Green Center
    • 1625 Cleveland Ave. SW: They are preparing to open if deemed necessary throughout the week. Officials say they will keep those updates on the status of the center as needed

DeKalb County

Starting Monday, Jan. 6, those who need assistance should call Marked for Life Ministries 24/7 hotline at 888-789-4673. They will direct the callers to the closest warming center and help with unmet needs.

Franklin County

The Warming Shelter of Franklin County is located at 3001 Old Franklin Turnpike. The doors open at 6 PM, and dinner is served from 6:30–7:30 PM. To stay the night, you must be there by 7:30 PM.
Franklin County also has emergency storm shelters located at 103 North Jackson Avenue in Russellville, AL 35653.
Warming centers are short-term emergency shelters that open when temperatures or other conditions become dangerously inclement. Their purpose is to prevent death and injury from exposure to the elements.

Lauderdale County

Home Free Haven has added days to their Emergency Nights. Check-in at the help center, located at 621 S. Court Street in Florence, is at 4:30 p.m. You can text 256-284-2487 for more information.

Madison County

The following warming centers will be open next week:

• Community Warming Center – The Livin’ Room (2820 Governors Drive SW): Open Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 4 p.m. to Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. Call 256-427-5400 or email rvealeby@nativity-hsv.org.
• First Stop (206 Stokes Street SW): Open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 256-533-3391.
• Downtown Rescue Mission (1400 Evangel Drive NW): Open 24/7. Call 256-536-2441.
• Salvation Army (305 Seminole Drive SW): Open Monday-Sunday, 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. Call 256-536-9147.

Huntsville Transit will also offer free rides to and from the centers. Transit runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If Transit is unavailable, you can call the Huntsville Police Department at 256-722-7100.

Marshall County

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church
2659 Pine Street, Albertville, Alabama, 35950
256-593-3552

Albertville Senior Center
709 S. Broad Street, Albertville, Alabama, 35950
256-891-8279

Albertville Senior Center
709 S. Broad Street, Albertville, Alabama, 35950
256-891-8279

Albertville Library
200 Jackson St, Albertville, Alabama, 35950
256-891-8290

First Baptist Church Albertville
309 E Main St, Albertville, Alabama, 35950
256-878-2291

First United Methodist Church
204 Madison St, Albertville, Alabama, 35950
256-878-4651

Martling Senior Center
4059 Martling Rd, Albertville, Alabama, 35951
256-878-5751

Arab Recreational Center
761 N Main St, Arab, Alabama, 35016
256-586-6793

Arab Library
325 2nd St NW, Arab, Alabama, 35016
256-586-3366

Arab Senior Center
800 N Main St, Arab, Alabama, 35016
256-586-6960

Arab Church of Christ
1005 N Main St, Arab, Alabama, 35016
256-586-8158

First United Methodist Church
1058 N Main St, Arab, Alabama, 35016
256-586-5792

Boaz Recreational Center
400 Elizabeth Street, Boaz, Alabama, 35957
256-593-7862

Boaz Senior Center
112 S. Church Street, Boaz, Alabama, 35957
256-593-1107

Boaz Library
404 Thomas Avenue, Boaz, Alabama, 35957
256-593-8056

Morgan County

• Decatur
  • Salvation Army of Decatur
    • 100 Austinville Road SW, will allow entry at 4 p.m. Monday and remain open until 9 a.m. Tuesday.