LIST: Shelters and warming stations prepare to open across North Texas
Cities are stepping up preparations ahead of the arctic blast expected to send temperatures tumbling to dangerously cold levels on Thursday.
The Texas Department of Emergency Services has also released an interactive map of the active warming centers for people across the state.
Dallas
Dallas is coordinating with the Austin Street Shelter to provide extra capacity for homeless occupants.
READ MORE: North Texas homeless shelters prepare to take in hundreds during arctic blast
The city is also making accommodations for people who lose power.
"We will have all our rec centers and libraries open as warming centers during normal business hours, and if there's a need we will look at extending those hours depending on if there's a power outage or a need," said Rocky Vaz, the director of the Dallas Office of Emergency Management.
The original building for the Austin Street Center will be used to house more than 360 men and women.
The location at 2929 Hickory Street in Dallas opened at noon on Thursday.
The main locations will be:
- Austin Street Shelter Annex
- Oak Lawn United Methodist Church
- Warren United Methodist Church
- J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
The city says it will monitor road conditions, but at this point it does not anticipate any significant issues with precipitation and ice.
For more information about the Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions you can go to their website or call the Housing Forward Crisis Help Line at 1-888-411-6802.
The Salvation Army will open it's inclement weather shelter at the Carr. P Collins Social Service Center on Wednesday, Dec. 21 or Thursday, Dec. 22 depending on the forecast.
Austin Street Center: 2929 Hickory Street, Dallas, TX 75226
Fort Worth
Tarrant County Goal: No one sleeps outside in freezing weather
Tarrant County is taking a multi-tiered approach to protecting the homeless in freezing temperatures. Good Day gets more info from Lauren King, the executive director of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition. She said the goal is to make sure no one has to sleep outside in tonight's below-freezing weather.
On Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 5:00 p.m., St. Stephen Presbyterian Church will open to give people meals and a place to stay.
Church will rotate daily so one or more church will be open Monday through Friday.
St. Stephen Presbyterian Church: 2700 McPherson Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76109
Garland
In Garland, Axe Methodist Church will open up as a warming center on Thursday and Friday at 5:30 p.m.
You can call 972-495-6476 to check the hours that the warming station will be available if there are any updates.
Axe Methodist Church: 1700 W Kingsley Rd, Garland, TX 75041
Arlington
Arlington has activated its Emergency Cold Weather Shelter plan for Tuesday, Dec. 20 - Monday, Dec. 26.
The Arlington Life Shelter at 325 West Division St. will accept guests from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Once at capacity they will refer guests to the Salvation Army of North Texas. The Salvation Army's Family Center is located at 712 W. Abram Street.
The Salvation Army says the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Social Service Center is on standby if needed.
Arlington Life Shelter: 325 W Division St, Arlington, TX 76011
Arlington Corps Community Center: 712 W Abram St, Arlington, TX 76013
Plano
The Salvation Army is opening its building on 14th Street as an inclement weather shelter.
Plano Salvation Army: 3528 14th St, Plano, TX 75074
McKinney
The Salvation Army Corps Community Center in McKinney will open as an inclement weather shelter on Saturday, Dec. 24.
Salvation Army McKinney: 600 Wilson Creek Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75069
Lewisville
Relevant Life Church in Lewisville has been designated as a cold weather shelter site. Staff, resources and volunteers from the Salvation Army will help.
Relevant Life Church: 331 E Church St, Lewisville, TX 75057
Ennis
The Ennis Welcome Center will be open from Dec. 22 to 24th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ennis Welcome Center: 201 NW Main Street, Ennis, TX 75119
Ferris
The Corpus Christi Catholic Parish in Ferris is opening its doors to people who need a break from the cold Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Corpus Christi Catholic Parish: 111 N. Wood Street, Ferris, TX 75125
Waxahachie
The Salvation Army in Waxahachie will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Salvation Army - Waxahachie: 620 Farley Street, Waxahachie, TX 75165
Kaufman
The American Red Cross is providing support for the center at the Kaufman Civic Center. It will remain open as long as temperatures remain severe.
Kaufman Civic Center: 607 E Fair St., Kaufman, TX, 75142
Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie says its Public Safety Building will be open as a warming center 24/7 until Christmas Day.
Grand Prairie Public Safety Building: 1525 Arkansas Lane, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
More locations will be added to this list as they are announced.