Connecticut shelters are expecting large crowds of people scrambling to escape the cold over the coming days.

The Bridgeport Rescue Mission was already expecting to serve hundreds Thanksgiving dinner, but now they are gearing up for many to stay overnight.

Thursday's forecast calls for frigid temperatures that are not expected to climb any higher than the mid-20s. Morning wind chills could sit below zero.

When temperatures are below freezing, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission has an open door policy. This means anyone can stay as long as there is room.

The shelter supplies beds and then foam mats once those fill up.

"And once that's done, and we still have people coming in, they can sit here in the dining room or in other parts of the Mission where it's warm," says Terry Wilcox, of Bridgeport Rescue Mission.

The rescue mission has shelters for both men and women.

Directors also say they also have 15,000 coats to give out for anyone who needs one.