Cold weather shelters open as Bay Area braces for freezing temperatures
TAMPA - Cold shelters are opening on Thursday and Friday night across the Bay Area as freezing temperatures are expected in the coming days.
FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterburg says that a northwest wind will bring temperatures down from the 50s into the 30s by the early morning on Friday.
The National Weather Service says that the freeze warning will last from 1 - 9 a.m. on Friday.
What you can do:
Shelters across the Bay Area say that they will have a limited capacity, and people should first reach out to family and friends, as a first option.
People should bring the following items to shelters: ID, medications, bedding, personal hygiene items, food and water.
Pets are also very vulnerable to the cold, and owners should use extra care to protect them.
READ: What really is Florida cold? We asked people in Tampa
Hillsborough County
These shelters will take in people from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, or until they fill up.
The following locations offer cold weather shelters for homeless adults and adults living in homes without adequate heat.
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church — Harnish Center (Thursday only) 500 W Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope — 110 S. Parsons Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church (Magnolia Building) — 414 S. Magnolia Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park — 107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
- Amazing Love Ministries — 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa, FL 33605
- Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries — 2104 Mud Lake Rd. Plant City, FL 33566
- The Portico (Friday only) — 1001 N Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
A limited number of motel vouchers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for families with children.
Pre-registration is required for motel vouchers by calling (813) 209-1176. Phone lines will be open on Thursday until 5 p.m. or until they run out of vouchers.
Manatee County locations
- Salvation Army — 1204 14th St. W, Bradenton: Check-in begins at 6 p.m. on January 15 and 16.
- Under One Roof — 407 57th Ave E, Bradenton.
Highlands County
The Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center opens at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and it will close at 10 a.m. Friday.
Location: 4509 George Blvd., Sebring.
Pasco County
- Shady Hills Mission Chapel — 15925 Greenglen Lane, Spring Hill
- First Nazarene Church of Zephyrhills — 6151 12th Street in Zephyrhills
The shelters will open on Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. and they will close at 10 a.m.
Sarasota County
- 100 Church, 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port
- Salvation Army – Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota
Dinner will be served from 5 to 5:30 p.m at the Salvation Army-Center of Hope. Guests will need to leave campus afterward and may return at 7 p.m. for shelter entry. Guests must be checked in by 8:30 p.m. Showers will be available from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and all guests will be required to present a valid ID for identification at check-in. Breakfast will be provided to-go in the morning, and all guests will need to depart campus by 6 a.m.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Hillsborough, Manatee, Highlands, and Pasco.