LOCAL WARMING CENTERS OPEN AS TEMPERATURES FALL
With frigid temperatures gripping East Tennessee, including lows in the teens and highs struggling to reach freezing on December 15, 2025, multiple warming centers are opening across the region to provide shelter overnight.
In Blount County, the United Way of Blount County is operating a center at First Baptist Church of Maryville (202 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway), opening at 6 p.m. Monday.
In the City of Knoxville, partnered churches and nonprofits through the Office of Housing Stability are activating centers when forecasts dip to 25 degrees or below, with locations open on December 15 including Church Street United Methodist Church (900 Henley St.), Cokesbury Church (9919 Kingston Pike), Eternal Life Harvest Center (2410 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.), an unnamed site at 1801 Western Ave., and ReLaunch Back Into Life/Salvation Army (409 North Broadway); hours are available online, and KAT buses are providing free rides to these centers starting at 3 p.m.
In Rhea County, an updated Warming House location at 440 Piccadilly Ave. is open anytime temperatures are 32 degrees or below.
Additionally, in the City of Oak Ridge, the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church (809 Oak Ridge Turnpike) is partnering with TORCH to remain open through Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. for those seeking warmth. The list of available centers is subject to updates as conditions evolve.
