Cold weather shelters opening across Tampa Bay as temperatures drop

Heating safety and cold shelters opening

As temperatures drop across Tampa Bay, cold shelters are opening up to keep people warm. FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez reports.

TAMPA - Plummeting temperatures Tuesday night are prompting local officials to open emergency cold weather shelters to protect people from the frigid overnight low in the 30s.

Counties including Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus are activating designated shelters to give people experiencing homelessness or who don’t have reliable heat a warm place to stay as the cold front moves in. 

Hillsborough County officials say shelters will take in guests from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday unless they reach capacity earlier. Congregate shelters are geared toward adults, but a limited number of motel vouchers are being provided on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children. Registration is required by calling (813) 209-1176. 

In Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, local shelters will open in the evening and remain available through the overnight hours while temperatures stay cold. 

Tampa Weather | Tuesday Morning Forecast

FOX 13's Valerie Mills says Tuesday's forecast calls for cooler temperatures all day with a high of 59 degrees.

Shelters by County

Hillsborough County

• Tampa Bay Mission of Hope — 110 S. Parsons Blvd., Brandon
• The Portico — 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
• Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park — 107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa
• Amazing Love Ministries — 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa
• Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries — 2104 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City
• Hyde Park United Methodist Church — 500 W. Platt St., Tampa

Citrus County

• Nature Coast Church — 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa (hot meals, showers, warm sleeping area)

Hernando County

• Enrichment Center — 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville (opens 8 p.m. Tuesday through 8 a.m. Wednesday; no meals/cots/pets)

Pasco County (West)

• Shady Hills Mission Chapel — 15925 Greenglen Lane, Spring Hill (6 p.m. – 10 a.m.)

Pasco County (East)

• First Nazarene Church of Zephyrhills — 6151 12th St., Zephyrhills (6 p.m. – 10 a.m.)

Note: Shelter activation and hours may change — check local county pages for real-time info.

Pinellas County

The following shelters are open to adults only:

• Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs111 W Lime Street, Tarpon SpringsPSTA route #19 
• First United Methodist Church of Clearwater411 Turner Street, ClearwaterPSTA route #52A 
• Boys and Girls Club of Pinellas Park7790 61st Street N, Pinellas ParkPSTA route #74 
• Unitarian Universalist Church100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg (requires use of stairs)PSTA routes #9, #20, #24 and the SunRunner 
• Salvation Army1400 4th Street South, St. PetersburgPSTA route #4A or B

Extra Safety & Help Tips

All congregate shelter spaces are for adults only. Families can pursue motel vouchers through pre-registration by phone. 

In Pinellas County, free bus rides to and from cold night shelters are offered beginning tonight; tell the driver you’re headed to a shelter to ride fare-free.

Residents are encouraged to use family, friends or personal arrangements first before shelter space fills up.