The Salvation Army prepares to respond as major winter storm threatens Tennessee, Kentucky

Louisville, KY – With a major winter storm expected to impact much of the southern and eastern United States this weekend, The Salvation Army is actively preparing to respond across Kentucky and Tennessee, positioning resources and personnel to meet urgent community needs.

The Salvation Army has mobile kitchen units staged across both states, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to provide hot meals, beverages, snacks, and essential supplies, including coats, blankets, personal hygiene kits, and other critical items.

Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) teams will closely monitor storm conditions and impacts throughout the weekend, paying particular attention to regions forecast to receive a quarter to a half inch of ice or more, which could lead to dangerous travel conditions, widespread power outages, fallen trees, and utility disruptions.

“Ice accumulations of this magnitude can devastate communities, cutting off power and access to basic necessities for days,” said Scott Tibbetts, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army. “We are taking this storm seriously by positioning mobile feeding resources, coordinating with emergency management partners, and opening facilities to serve as warming centers and White Flag shelters. Our goal is to be ready to respond immediately, wherever help is needed most across Kentucky and Tennessee.”

Warming Centers and White Flag Shelters Open

In addition to placing mobile kitchens on standby, The Salvation Army has opened facilities as warming centers and/or White Flag shelters in the following communities:

• Louisville, KY
• Bowling Green, KY
• Hopkinsville, KY
• Madisonville, KY
• Johnson City, TN
• Clarksville, TN
• Bristol, TN
• Nashville, TN
• Knoxville, TN
• Dyersburg, TN

These locations will provide warmth, shelter, and safety to individuals and families vulnerable to extreme cold and winter conditions.

Coordination with Emergency Partners

The Salvation Army is in constant communication with state and local emergency management agencies, as well as other voluntary and nonprofit emergency response partners, to ensure a coordinated, efficient, and effective response.

As a trusted disaster response organization, The Salvation Army is uniquely positioned to serve, already operating in nearly every zip code in America. This local presence allows teams to respond quickly with trained personnel, established facilities, and lifesaving resources when disaster strikes.

How the Public Can Help

The Salvation Army’s ability to respond is made possible only through the generosity of donors. The most effective way to help is through a financial contribution, which provides flexibility to purchase exactly what is needed in the affected communities.

Ways to Give:

• Online: www.helpsalvationarmy.org
• By Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769)
• By Mail:
  The Salvation Army
  PO Box 436437
  Louisville, KY 40253
  (Memo: January 2026 Winter Storm)

Committed for the Long Term

The Salvation Army stands ready to serve before, during, and after the storm—and will remain in affected communities for as long as help is needed.

For ongoing updates, media inquiries, or volunteer information, please contact your local Salvation Army or visit www.salvationarmykytn.org.

For more news across the state, click here.