When many of our co-workers were screaming "There are no hotel rooms in Dallas" "There are no hotel rooms in San Antonio", we found a great room quickly on Expedia.  We suspect that what's happening is that the travel agencies are buying blocks of rooms.  So when you call the hotel or check the hotel chain websites, they're showing "no room" because the rooms are allocated. 

Another thing...people were trying to get rooms for 10 days.  Most hotels at the last minute, during a storm, don't have 10 consecutive days available!

Strategies for the desperate:

• Try all online services (Hotels.com, expedia.com, travelocity.com, orbitz.com)
  
• Try a room for fewer days.  You don't know how long you'll need a room, but really...is it more important to unpack only once or to have shelter from the storm?  Get out of whereever you are, stay 1-2 nights.  This will give you more information/clarity on what to do next.  If you can stay one or two nights, you'll have the energy to move to another city that might have more availability.  Or, the storm could turn and you can go back.  Who knows?  Don't get discouraged or assume you'll be "homeless" because you can't get the number of nights you want. 
  
• Truly desperate?  If there's time, call travel agents who offer vacation packages.  Ok..we know you're not on vacation, but again, some rooms may be reserved for vacation packages. 
  
• try calling the hotels after 6pm.  Some people won't make it to the hotel, some will cancel.  You never know!

If you find a hotel room, prepay!  This will help to ensure that your room will be there when you get there.   We got concerned that if we arrived late, our room might get given away.  Sometimes, you can't help these situations.  However, if something like this happens and you've prepaid, you might be able to negotiate to stay in a meeting room overnight and shower at the spa.  Ideal?  NO, but at least you're not seeking a public shelter in the middle of the night.

Desperate with no hotel?  Try to use the internet to find local tv stations or newspaper websites.  They'll tell you how to find shelters.  Or, look for highway signs.   Larger cities are now adopting 311 as a non-emergency help line.  It's worth a try!  Or, stop at a restaurant or gas station and ask them for advice.  Locals know these things and gas stations/restaurants are probably monitoring the situation.  Larger, fancier hotels may also be willing to assist you, if they aren't busy.   Though, smaller ones will just want you out of their parking lot and many are not helpful. 

Another idea for the desperate - call the Mayor's press office.  They know the local conditions and advisories.  They are there to help, as well as the police department.