LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As winds pick up leading into a bitterly cold weekend and next week, plenty of Louisvillians are doing what they can to make sure no one is left behind during the inclement weather event.
Inside Hope International AOH Church of God off Algonquin Parkway, the South End Street Angels are spending their Friday night turning a church event hall into a pop-up shelter.
"I don't think our community is aware of how much of an impact they can make, even with the smallest gesture," Amanda Mills, leader of the South End Street Angels, said. "It's actually a time for us to provide hope. And also show them faith, which is hope and action."
Mills said the group is preparing for 40 to 45 individuals who're experiencing houselessness, to come in from the south end and west end.
"The church--we need to rise up," Gena Harris, senior pastor at the church, said. "And we need to do whatever we can to help individuals who're out in this cold. You know it's going to be below zero."
Volunteers said they won't turn away a single soul—not only providing them a place to sleep but hot meals to eat.
"You matter and you will get loved on here and you will get your belly filled," Mills said. "So come on, judgment free zone."
Louisville is currently under a high wind warning until Saturday morning at 7 a.m. According to the NWS, damaging wind gusts greater than 50 mph are likely for Friday into early Saturday.
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Weather experts said there is a potential for accumulating snow Sunday night into early next week. Temperatures are expected to fall into the teens with wind chills near or below zero Monday through Wednesday.
Louisville will have its usual list of warming centers and homeless shelters, in addition to welcoming people into metro facilities like libraries and community centers during their normal business hours.
Operation White Flag goes into effect when the temperature or the wind chill is below 35 degrees. Anyone needing shelter can stay at Salvation Army and Wayside Christian Mission.
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For the Salvation Army, White Flag is available for single men and women. A person can make a reservation for White Flag at Salvation Army by calling the Coordinated Shelter Access (CSA) line at 637-2337 between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., seven days a week. A reservation is not required, but it will guarantee a bed.
For Wayside Christian Mission, White Flag is available for single men, women, and families (including cats and dogs). No reservations are needed for Wayside White Flag; however, it is first come, first serve.
Due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, most shelters will be closed; however, Northwest Neighborhood Place and South Central Neighborhood Place will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Arthur Street Hotel is at capacity, but they are providing outreach services to people living on the street.
"Everything is going to be wet. Then it's going to freeze. Then it's going down to real-feel temperatures of somewhere in the negative numbers. That's a recipe for a human disaster," Donnie Greene, their associate director of Care, said.
The hotel is accepting donations like blankets, winter clothes, handwarmers, tents and sleeping bags at 1620 Arthur Street. You can also donate to their website.
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