Salvation Army Prepares Up To 7,600 Warming Centres as Polar Vortex Brings Freezing Conditions to Continental USA

The Salvation Army is meeting the needs of individuals and families affected by freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall and resultant power outages

Frozen pathwayTHE Salvation Army is meeting the needs of individuals and families affected by freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall and resultant power outages across parts of the United States. Amid a historic weather event that has swept throughout the country, The Salvation Army is offering its facilities as respite centres for warmth, feeding and shelter for those facing homelessness and for other people in need.

Unusual weather patterns have caused the polar vortex – usually stable in the Arctic region – to bring sub-zero temperatures to southern areas with infrastructure more designed for warm conditions, with many reports of frozen water pipes, rolling power cuts and treacherous road conditions. Dallas-Fort Worth Airport’s meteorological station recorded a record low temperature of minus 2°F (minus 19°C) on 16 February, making it the coldest day in Texas in 72 years.

‘The toll the [COVID-19] pandemic has taken on Americans was already great, and now the most vulnerable find themselves without a safe place to shelter from the sprawling winter storm,’ said Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, National Commander for The Salvation Army in the USA. ‘As even some of the warmest states experience below-zero temperatures, we’re prepared to serve. If needed, all of our 7,600 locations can serve as warming centres, based on local conditions and needs.’

Nationwide, The Salvation Army is prepared to open emergency warming stations for people experiencing homelessness in communities where temperatures have reached dangerous lows. The movement is also distributing cold weather clothing, mobilising outreach units as road conditions permit to serve hot meals and beverages, feeding first responders, providing stranded travellers with temporary shelter and offering emergency transportation. 

With a presence in every area, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to respond with specialised services based on the needs of each community: 

  • Galveston County, Texas – partnering with the Community Action Council, the Red Cross, Galveston County Food Bank, Galveston Central Church and the City of Galveston, in a major cold weather response to provide supplies including cots, blankets, pillows and snacks. 
  • Houston, Texas – around 1,000 blankets supplied to hospitals running on curtailed power, with truckloads of drinking water distributed in municipalities where piped supplies have been compromised and there is no electricity for consumers to boil their water to make it safe.
  • North Texas – providing 24/7 warming centres to offer a safe and warm environment with food distribution on a regular basis for millions of people.
  • Poughkeepsie, New York – wrapping scarves and gloves around light poles, so individuals who are unable to come directly to the community centre for assistance can still access warm clothes in a socially-distanced manner.
  • Chicago, Illinois – providing mobile outreach to bring warmth and shelter to the homeless population.
  • Washington DC – continuing to provide hot food, beverages, winter clothing and more. 

From reports by USA National Headquarters and USA Southern Territory
IHQ Communications
International Headquarters 

USA National Headquarters

Discover more

Adults and children sing in a family choir
Denmark and Greenland
The General

Guided by God’s compass

A festival of faith, family and forward movement in Denmark

Faith-Based Facilitation
Strategy and impact

Faith-Based Facilitation

Faith-Based Facilitation is a way of helping people think, talk, explore and respond to issues in the light of faith.

Volunteers unload supplies from a Salvation Army emergency vehicle
Emergency response
USA Southern

The Salvation Army responds to catastrophic Texas floods

Emergency Disaster Services teams are working around the clock to provide meals, drinks and emotional and spiritual care to communities in Central Texas, USA, following the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River.

World map with countries highlighted in different colours
Strategy and impact

World Map

A downloadable map showing countries in which The Salvation Army is at work.

A group of young Salvationists in front of the exhibition 'Transforming lives for 160 years'
International Headquarters

Salvation Army celebrates 160 years; anticipates powerful future

Transforming lives and communities since 1865

Modern slavery and human trafficking

Spot the Signs

Driven by poverty, conflict, persecution – and the global demand for cheap goods, labour and sex – modern slavery and human trafficking are thriving worldwide. Yes, even in your own community.

Victims often can’t ask for help. They rely on others – on