Athens-Clarke County is expected to experience cold temperatures in the coming days. A number of ongoing emergency resources and shelters are listed below, along with temporary resources.
Temporary additional emergency shelter resources or warming stations at private locations or Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) facilities may be added during severe weather.
For updates before, during, and after severe weather, visit www.accgov.com/weather. For updates about shelter and warming resources, including current listings of temporary warming or shelter sites, visit www.accgov.com/shelter or text ACCSHELTER to 888777 to receive SMS text messages about shelter locations.
Temporary Pop-Up Warming Site at the Multimodal Transportation Center (Jan. 18-20)
- Services: Inside lobby area with warming resources and donated goods distribution. This site does not offer overnight sleeping space.
- 775 East Broad Street (Hickory Street Extension), Athens, GA 30601
- accgov.com/transit
- 706-613-3430
- Sunday, January 18, 5:00 PM - Monday, January 19, 9:00 AM
- Monday, January 19, 5:00 PM - Tuesday, January 20, 9:00 AM
Emergency Ongoing Shelter Resources
Resources may have limited days and hours for walk-in intakes, specific programs, and holidays. Contact the resources or visit their website or social media accounts for more information.
Bigger Vision of Athens
- Services: Emergency shelter for individuals (Call at 4:00 PM to reserve a bed)
- 95 North Ave., Athens, GA 30601
- 706-340-6062 ext. 2
- biggervisionofathens.org
Salvation Army
- Services: Emergency shelter for families and individuals
- 484 Hawthorne Ave., Athens, GA 30606
- 706-543-5350
- salvationarmygeorgia.org/athens/
Athens Area Homeless Shelter
- Services: Emergency shelter for families with children
- 620 Barber Street, Athens, GA 30601
- 706-354-0423
- helpathenshomeless.org/
Family Promise of Athens
- Services: Emergency shelter for families with children
- 205 Bray Street, Building 100, Athens, GA 30601 (Day Center)
- 706-425-1881
- familypromiseathens.org/
Other Resources
Resources may have limited days and hours for walk-in intakes, specific programs, or holidays. Contact the resources or visit their website or social media accounts for more information.
The Sparrow’s Nest
- Services: Homeless support services, free meals, clothes closet, showers, laundry
- 745 Prince Ave., Athens, GA 30606
- www.sparrowsnestathens.org/
- 706-549-6693
Homeless Day Service Center (Advantage Behavioral Health Systems)
- Services: Homeless support services, showers, laundry
- 240 North Ave., Athens, GA 30601
- Monday through Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- 706-354-1154 ext. 1700
- advantagebhs.org/homeless-services/
Athens-Clarke County Library
- 2025 Baxter Street, Athens GA 30606
- 706-613-3650
- Monday through Friday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM / Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Sunday: 2:00 - 6:00 PM
Preparing for Winter Weather
The ACCGov Emergency Management Agency reminds residents about steps that they can take to prepare for winter weather.
Make Preparations
- Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and windows to keep the warm air inside.
- Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify winter weather.
- Have adequate clothing and blankets on hand to keep you warm.
- Allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Disconnect outdoor water hoses and cover outside water fixtures.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate around uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
- Know where the main water shutoff valve is located in your house in case pipes do freeze.
- Fully winterize your vehicle and keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
- Remove large tree branches that may get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house.
- Make “Ready Kits” with basic essentials, including weather appropriate clothing and prescribed medications. Keep one at home and in the car.
Make a Plan
- Plan to stay inside and make it on your own, at least for a period of time.
- Use space heaters as directed and plug directly into wall sockets, not into extension cords or power strips.
- If you have a wood burning fireplace, consider storing wood to keep you warm if winter weather knocks out your heat. Also, make sure you have your chimney cleaned and inspected every year.
- Winter storms are often accompanied by power outages. Always exercise caution when using alternative light and heating sources.
- Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles to prevent the risk of fire. Have plenty of extra batteries on hand.
- Never bring portable generators, camp stoves, and grills into your home; they should only be used outside at least 20 feet away from your home's windows, doors and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
- People who depend on electricity to operate medical equipment should have alternate arrangements in place in case power is out for an extended period of time.
- Stay inside in extreme weather. Drive only if necessary.
Stay Informed
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed of winter weather watches and warnings.
- Monitor commercial radio, television, alert apps, and the internet.
- Keep in mind that during a severe winter storm it could be hours, or even days, before emergency personnel are able to reach you.
For more information on preparing for cold weather, visit accgov.com/weather.