What temps are you having? What types of roses are they besides SdlM?

I think I read somewhere that it's a good idea to soak the pots just before cold weather hits, as the water will help keep the roots from freezing (because it takes a lot of cold to convert water to ice).

At my house, roses in pots (5 gal) have gone through temps down to around 7 F mostly without problems. Only 1 or 2 tea roses didn't make it.

umm... all kinds...mostly ownroot antique varieties. Some Pioneer series ownroot, Peggy Martin, Albertine, Madame Isaac Perrier, Doreen Centennial, Ducher, Mrs BRCant, first crush, cramoise superior, Duke of Edinburgh, parade, ArborRose Jasmina, and quite a few more that I cant think of the names right now. I'm at my son's in San Antonio. It's been below freezing for several days. last night around 10°f, its warmed up to 16° right now. I live in Smiley tx half way between San Antonio and Victoria Tx.

That's a hard call Lesli. The amount of time that it is below freezing is certainly a factor here, as is the fact that it is well below freezing. Dragging the pots to a place where they are nestled against the house might help -- but if they are covered in snow I'd just leave them (snow insulates them a bit) and hope for the best. In the future if you expect really really cold temperatures for an extended period of time putting them next to the house and covering them or putting outdoor christmas lights on them (turned on to produce residual warmth) can help. What crazy weather! I hope your cuttings make it.

Snow is your friend in sub freezing weather. I would also try to make sure that the bottoms of the pots are in contact with the ground, which is usually warmer than the air.

Tender plant enthusiast in Tacoma has kept certain less well locally adapted palm trees going for decades by wrapping their trunks with flattened, tape like strands of small incandescent bulbs. Not just for winter warmth but added summer warmth also.

On the subject of assessment of condition of potted stock after cold exposure the tops aren't what to go by, but rather the roots. Because the tops are the last to go when a potted plant starts being damaged by cold. With the youngest roots on the outside of the root system being the least hardy part. So the only way a plant's top can signal there was damage (apart from dying back itself) is if root loss results in noticeably slower top growth the following growing season.

I'm sad to say, almost nothing in my greenhouse survived, a few potted roses and a few such things, but happy to say, outside my strawberries and special rose cuttings from my late mother's souvenir de la malmaison seemed unscathed under the frost cloth in the galvenized water trough. Guess I get to clean out my greenhouse and come up with a new plan. I'm thankful for having power and water and hot food and drink. My house is over 100 yrs old and we have relied on a window unit with a heat strip and space heaters as we didnt put up our wood stove this season because my husband had shoulder surgery. My son is in Waco and hasn't had power for 2 days. Glad he has his dogs to keep him warm. But, boy am I over winter already, had my fill. 🙁

ps we still haven't gotten above freezing so who knows? I just got home, maybe things will thaw tomorrow.

Hang in there Lesli! That is a hard loss, but at least the cuttings look good. Some things might spring back. The important thing is that you and your family are OK. I hope it thaws out soon and that your son gets power back!