Where To Go To Get Off the Street During This Cold Weather

Been a busy couple of days since the storm hit here in Tennessee; freezing cold right now with light dusting of snow on the ground in most areas, but the bigger news of course is that  Mayor Dean has asked for unheard of cooperation and resource allocation across the board by agencies and organizations in Davidson county to keep folks on the street from dying in this cold weather.

A huge thanks to the good Mayor for putting the welfare of all his citizens at the top of the priority list during this storm!

Here are some details that might help to save a life:  

There will be other options besides the Nashville Rescue Mission for shelter -   Mt. Bethel, 1508 Arthur Ave – 131 capacity   

& 

First Baptist Church, 108 7^th Ave South – 126 capacity.

211 will have live operators during this time and can direct folks to shelters.  Also, along with the Nahsville Rescue Mission's Cold Patrol vans, Nashville metro PD will also direct volunteers and outreach workers to provide pickups for shelter rides by calling 862-8600.  

Second Harvest and Salvation Army will coordinate feeding at the shelters and there should be HOT meals at these shelters.   

ATTENTION: Metro PD will be strictly enforcing "quality of life" issues for folks as their goal is to get people off the streets during this cold period.  Beware, they will not be cutting people any slack, so this is not the time to hang out at Riverfront or the parks; get to a shelter and stay there; they will be open and people will be allowed to stay for the full duration: no mandatory boot-outs.

WARMING SHELTER OPENS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN PREPARATION OF WINTER STORM AND ONGOING FREEZING TEMPERATURES

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with the Nashville Red Cross, will open an emergency warming shelter in Davidson County today to assist residents in need of a warm meal and place to stay during the forecasted snow event and extreme cold.  This includes those whom may have lost utilities providing heat and/or power to their homes and persons who may be homeless.     


The shelter is located at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church, 1508 Arthur Avenue, and opens to the public at 1 p.m.  As the need arises, the Red Cross will add additional shelters. 


“Nashville has been in the deep freeze for several days now and the temperature continues to drop with the threat of accumulating snowfall,” said Interim OEM Director Stephen Halford.  “It is imperative that everyone seek shelter and a coordinated effort is being made across the city to spread the word to our vulnerable populations about what shelter options are available.  With the opening of this shelter and the ability to add more, there’s simply no reason for anyone to be turned away that wants a warm place to stay to get out of the cold.”  

The Nashville Humane Association will deploy mobile units to provide shelter for domestic animals, as pets will not be permitted in the Red Cross locations.  Qualified, credentialed animal handlers will care for the pets while staying in close proximity to their owners. 

The Office of Emergency Management is coordinating with several Metro government and non-profit agencies to provide transportation to shelters and Nashville Mission as needed.  Metro 2-1-1 will be processing transportation requests, as well as providing general information to the public.  The call takers will be available 24/7.