Hands Across Decatur shelters 20 unhoused people in frigid temperatures

Dec. 23—About 20 homeless people took shelter at Hands Across Decatur on Fifth Avenue Southeast on Thursday night and this morning as temperatures plummeted.

The National Weather Service in Huntsville said temperatures dropped 49 degrees in the Decatur area from Thursday afternoon through this morning.

Hands Across Decatur (HAD), located at 1027 Fifth Ave. S.E., will remain open until Tuesday to give unhoused people shelter from the freezing temperatures.

HAD CEO Sue Terrell said she expects more than 20 people to stay at the facility tonight.

"We probably would've had more, but people were so afraid to leave their tents and belongings," she said.

At 7 a.m. today, according to the NWS, the temperature at Pryor Field was 3 degrees with a windchill of minus 17. The temperature was 52 degrees at 4 p.m. Thursday before the cold front came through.

Terrell said the community has been helping to make sure people are fed.

"People are providing meals. We don't have to do any cooking for four days," she said.

Chris Swearengin, 62, said he was incredibly thankful HAD opened its doors. He spent the night there Thursday and will likely stay tonight.

"They're doing a wonderful thing up here," he said. "(Terrell) opened her doors and her hearts to us.

"I've been from Florida to North Carolina, and this is probably the best place I've ever found."

Terrell said some transients might not know HAD is open. She asked the community to alert people walking around the city that HAD will stay open until Tuesday, when temperatures are expected to risen above freezing, to provide shelter and meals.

"The entire community has come out for our homeless," Terrell said. "Without them, we would not be able to do this. We wouldn't be able to afford it."

— emma.daniel@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2437. Twitter @DD_EDaniel