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Bay Area counties announce the opening of cold shelters before temperatures dip

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Published  January 6, 2025 5:11pm EST
Weather
FOX 13 News

Tampa Weather | Cold snap takes over this week

FOX 13 meteorologist Jim Weber breaks down this cold snap we're experiencing.

The Brief

    • Temperatures in the Bay Area are expected to dip in the 40s, leaving many stranded without warm housing.
    • Counties across the region have announced the opening of cold weather shelters for residents in need.
    • Below is information on the cold weather shelters opening in the Tampa Bay region.

TAMPA, Fla. - People looking to swap the snow and cold with Florida’s sunny beaches will have to wait, as the new year is poised to bring sloppy weather conditions to the Bay Area.

FOX 13 News Weather Team reports, "Part of the Tampa Bay area is under a marginal risk for severe weather on Monday as a front brings rain and strong wind gusts before much colder air moves in."

Temperatures are expected to drop to as low as 40 degrees, and counties across Florida’s Western region are opening cold weather shelters to help residents stranded in the cold.

READ: Rain, strong wind to move through Tampa Bay area ahead of cold blast. Here's how low temperatures could drop

County-by-county cold weather information:

Hillsborough County 

On Monday, Hillsborough County announced that it would open three cold-weather shelters for the homeless and those without proper heat in their homes through Thursday, Jan. 9.

The county says the shelters will accept people until 6 p.m. each night or until they reach capacity.

They also say that the shelters are for adults only and that families with minor children seeking cold-weather shelters should call (813) 209-1176.   

READ: Hillsborough County cold weather shelters open Saturday night

Shelter locations:

  1. Hyde Park United Methodist Church500 W. Platt St., Tampa, 33606Supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children.
  2. 500 W. Platt St., Tampa, 33606
  3. Supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children.
  4. Tampa Bay Mission of Hope212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594
  5. 212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594
  6. Amazing Love Ministries212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594
  7. 212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico, FL 33594
Temperatures will drop sharply late Monday into Tuesday after a short-lived warmup.

Temperatures will drop sharply late Monday into Tuesday after a short-lived warmup.

Pinellas County

On Monday, cities in Pinellas County announced openings of cold shelters throughout the county.

The shelters will be open on Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8. 

The county says shelters will accept people on a first-come-first-serve basis. Families looking for shelter should also be placed in family shelters on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Families seeking shelters should call First Contact (formerly Tampa Bay Cares) at 2-1-1 for more information.

Pinellas County also announced that the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) would provide free bus rides to and from cold shelters starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. 

To take advantage of the free bus rides, riders are advised to tell the PSTA drivers that they are going to a cold shelter to ride for free.

All eight shelters in Pinellas County will be open from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

READ: Arctic air bringing cold blast to Florida next week. Here's how low temperatures could drop

Shelter locations:

  1. Tarpon SpringsBoys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs111 W Lime Street, Tarpon SpringsPSTA Route #19
  2. Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs111 W Lime Street, Tarpon SpringsPSTA Route #19
  3. 111 W Lime Street, Tarpon Springs
  4. PSTA Route #19
  5. ClearwaterFirst United Methodist Church of Clearwater411 Turner Street, Clearwater.PSTA Route #52
  6. First United Methodist Church of Clearwater411 Turner Street, Clearwater.PSTA Route #52
  7. 411 Turner Street, Clearwater.
  8. PSTA Route #52
  9. Pinellas ParkBoys & Girls Club of the Suncoast in Pinellas Park7790 61st Street North, Pinellas ParkPSTA Route #74First United Methodist Church9025 49th Street North, Pinellas ParkNote: This location requires the use of stairs.PSTA Route #52
  10. Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast in Pinellas Park7790 61st Street North, Pinellas ParkPSTA Route #74
  11. 7790 61st Street North, Pinellas Park
  12. PSTA Route #74
  13. First United Methodist Church9025 49th Street North, Pinellas ParkNote: This location requires the use of stairs.PSTA Route #52
  14. 9025 49th Street North, Pinellas Park
  15. Note: This location requires the use of stairs.
  16. PSTA Route #52
  17. St. PetersburgNorthwest Presbyterian Church6330 54th Ave. North, St. PetersburgPSTA Route #75WestCare Turning Point1801 5th Ave. North, St PetersburgPSTA Route #9Unitarian Universalist Church100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. PetersburgNote: This location requires the use of stairs.PSTA Routes #18, #23 or #100XSalvation Army1400 4th Street South, St. PetersburgPSTA Route #4
  18. Northwest Presbyterian Church6330 54th Ave. North, St. PetersburgPSTA Route #75
  19. 6330 54th Ave. North, St. Petersburg
  20. PSTA Route #75
  21. WestCare Turning Point1801 5th Ave. North, St PetersburgPSTA Route #9
  22. 1801 5th Ave. North, St Petersburg
  23. PSTA Route #9
  24. Unitarian Universalist Church100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. PetersburgNote: This location requires the use of stairs.PSTA Routes #18, #23 or #100X
  25. 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg
  26. Note: This location requires the use of stairs.
  27. PSTA Routes #18, #23 or #100X
  28. Salvation Army1400 4th Street South, St. PetersburgPSTA Route #4
  29. 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg
  30. PSTA Route #4

Sarasota County

On Monday, Sarasota County announced it was opening a cold-weather shelter from 5 p.m. and on Tuesady at the same time. 

They say All Faiths Food Bank will provide meals and that anyone visiting the cold shelters for the night should bring personal sleeping materials.

Temperatures will drop well below normal on Tuesday.

Temperatures will drop well below normal on Tuesday.

Shelter locations:

100 Church

  • Open Monday and Tuesday nights
  • 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port

Salvation Army

  • Open Tuesday night only
  • 1400 10th St., Sarasota
  • Salvation Army is a 0.2-mile walk from the Breeze bus stop on Orange Avenue and 10th St (Routes 7 and 8) or a 0.3-mile walk from the Breeze bus stop on Cocoanut Avenue and 9th Street (Routes 2 and 99).
  • Sarasota County also reminded residents that pets should not be left out in the cold during the cold front.

Hernando County:

Hernando County announced that it will open a cold shelter from 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8. 

The county says that the shelters will not provide food or sleeping materials and that pets are not allowed.

Shelter location:

  1. Enrichment Center800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601
  2. 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601

The county also advises residents to stay indoors, bring pets inside, and cover or move plants that are sensitive to cold indoors during the cold front.

Hernando County residents can click here for more information and sign up for severe weather information here.

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