As freezing rain and sleet moved through Montgomery County, residents and people without shelter turned to warming centers for safety. A Conroe church housed about 60 people overnight and plans to remain open through the week.
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This weekend, residents in Montgomery County who faced freezing rain, sleet, and severe cold sought shelter at warming centers. Churches and local groups opened their doors to keep people safe from the deadly evening temperatures.
Pastor Jerry Vineyard said the Under Over Fellowship church in Conroe was one of the busiest places, with roughly 60 people staying overnight. As things became worse, many more came and went from the premises on Sunday.
Vineyard stated, "We Texans are not ready for this kind of weather." "People need to stay warm, no matter how much they prepare."
Vineyard claimed that the church opened its warming center to help people who had lost power, lacked heat, or could not safely stay outside. Vineyard stated that the shelter's beds, hot meals, and space for dogs are very important to many people who might otherwise avoid shelters.
Vineyard remarked, "People cannot cook food if they lose power." "That is why we want to give them a safe place to go."
Scott Benham was among those seeking refuge. He added that having a warm bed and hot food can save lives for people who live outside.
Benham added, "It is everything." "You see a lot of homeless people in the parks who are just sleeping in tents and sometimes do not even have a sleeping bag. This is a great place for them to stay." It does not have a price.
Church volunteers worked all day to prepare meals, set up sleeping places, and manage supplies while it rained and sleeted. Vineyard stated that the church invested in emergency infrastructure so it could keep running even after the power went off.
Vineyard remarked, "We have a 110-kilowatt generator, so we do not lose power and can run a huge kitchen." "Our goal is to become an emergency shelter in situations like this."
There is also a medical clinic, laundry facilities, and showers on the premises, so guests can take care of their basic health and hygiene needs while staying warm.
Officials in the area have told people to check on vulnerable neighbors, stay home when the weather is icy, and go to warming centers if their homes lose heat. Predictions indicate that nighttime temperatures below freezing will persist throughout the week.
Vineyard added that the shelter will stay open for the next few days as long as it stays chilly.
He answered, "We are here to feed and house people."
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