Cold weather is moving into the Tampa Bay area, and it will reach extreme temperatures.
The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Thursday.
Temperatures will drop into the low 40s, and wind chills will feel as cold as 34°F.
No one should be left out in the cold on this night, and thankfully, shelters are opening up to help people stay warm.
In Hillsborough County, three places are opening their doors to adults starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
If you need a warm spot, you can head to:
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park at 107 S. Oregon Avenue in Tampa
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church at 500 W. Platt Street in Tampa
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope at 212 S. St. Cloud Avenue, Building A, in Valrico
The shelters are first-come, first-served, so getting there early is a good idea.
And if you’ve got kids, there’s help for families, too.
Metropolitan Ministries has a limited number of motel vouchers for families with children.
These are only for one night, and you’ll need to call (813) 209-1176 ahead of time to register.
Space is tight, so don’t wait.
If you need a ride to one of these shelters, transportation assistance is available—just ask.
Sarasota County is also stepping up by opening a shelter at The 100 Church, located at 14525 Tamiami Trail in North Port, and it will open at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
If you’re going there, make sure to bring your sleeping materials.
To make it easier to get there, the Breeze Route 9 bus stops nearby on Tamiami Trail at Espanola Avenue/Almonte Terrace, which is only a short walk from the church.
You can also use Breeze OnDemand services if you’re in the North Port area.
For more information on Breeze services, visit www.scgov.net/breeze or use the Breeze Rider app to check bus schedules.
In Citrus County, Nature Coast Church, 5113 S. Suncoast Boulevard in Homosassa, will be open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
As needed, the shelter goes above and beyond, offering hot meals, snacks, showers, and a warm place to sleep.
Citrus County Transit even provides free shelter rides on its Orange Line bus.
If you need details about the bus, call (352) 527-7630.
For questions about the shelter, call (352) 234-3099.
Since these shelters can only accommodate a few people, officials ask folks to try other options, like staying with friends or family.
The shelters are meant for those who truly have no other place to go, like the homeless or people living in homes without proper heating.
If you’re looking for ways to help, Hillsborough County is also searching for organizations to partner with as shelter hosts in the future.
And if that’s something you or your group can offer, contact Israel Segarra at [email protected].
Shelters are a real lifesaver on cold nights like this, and that’s not an exaggeration.
So, if you or someone you know needs a warm spot, don’t hesitate to head to one of these shelters.
Stay warm, stay safe, and let’s all do what we can to help each other out during this cold snap!