As the Tri-State faces a winter storm warning predicting dangerously cold wind chills and significant amounts of snow, the Evansville Rescue Mission is doing all they can to save lives.

"When the weather is below 30 degrees, for a period of three hours or longer on a 24 hour period, we put out the white flag," says Paul Mattingly, United Caring Services.

As the temperatures hover near or below freezing, the number of people seeking refuge from the conditions is rising.

"With the cold weather, people are trying to stay in as much as they possibly can," says Mattingly.

In the River City, Evansville Rescue Mission and United Caring Services are among those helping Tri-Staters have a warm place to stay.

Officials say on average they can accommodate nearly 40 people at their facilities.

This along with ensuring CDC guidelines amid the pandemic.

"It's kinda the symbol to let everybody know that they can have a warming shelter at night where they can sleep,"says Mattingly.

Meanwhile, over in the Bluegrass, Owensboro Christian Church is open as a warming center during the cold weather event, also offering bedding from 6:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. through Monday.

"With the way the weather is, I would imagine White Flag would be open probably all the way through next week," says Mattingly.

The warming shelter opens at 7 p.m. at the C.K. Newsome Center for those needing a warm place to stay.