VALDOSTA — As Hurricane Irma approaches, people from across Florida and Georgia are coming to Valdosta and Lowndes County seeking shelter.

Katie Christie and Mary Fashik are roommates from Brunswick and are currently sheltered at CrossPointe Church on North Valdosta Road. This is the second time the two have sheltered from a hurricane at the church. The first time was during Hurricane Matthew which hit almost exactly a year ago.

Christie said they brought everything they could carry with them, but they are still worried about flooding or a tree falling on their apartment.

When it came to picking a shelter, she said she chose CrossPointe because of the people running the shelter.

“They’re very good people here,” Christie said. “You know, it’s scary being away from home and everything, but the people here have been so kind and helpful.”

CrossPointe teamed up with the American Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank to provide food and shelter to those evacuating their homes for Irma.

Chris Staples is the shelter manager with Red Cross.

She said the church is at full capacity, with 430 people currently staying in the church.

The church started taking people Friday. Everyone is given a cot to sleep on, two blankets, toiletries, three meals a day and plenty of activities to pass the time.

The Olson family passed time in the church by playing Yahtzee. They evacuated after a warning from the weather service said everyone living in a trailer should seek shelter. This is their first time seeking shelter from a hurricane.

Travis Olson said they had to leave their pets behind, because all the shelters accepting pets are full.

“Hopefully nothing bad happens,” Travis said. “We’ll go back home and feed them until the storm passes.”

Staples said most people are calm and relaxed.

“Everyone is handling it really well,” Staples said. “This isn’t a single person operation, though. The community here really came together. It’s a community effort.”

On the other side of town, the Mathis Auditorium is open for people seeking shelter from Irma. The Valdosta Salvation Army will be providing food for around 400 people, said Lt. Chris Thomas, with the Salvation Army.

“The police chief called us and said they were opening Mathis and needed help feeding people,” Thomas said. “So, we’re here to support the community for as long as help is needed.”

Thomas said the shelter has enough food for the next couple of days and enough space for around 375 people.

Terry Phillips was one of the first to take shelter at Mathis. She lives in Leesburg, Fla., and didn’t want to drive any farther than Valdosta out of fear of running out of gas.

“This is the closest city to Leesburg that I could make it to without needing more gas,” Phillips said. “Plus I have family here.”

Her mother lives in Valdosta and is staying at CrossPointe. Phillips said there were too many people at the church for her to feel comfortable.