Several cold weather shelters are available throughout Central Florida this weekend for residents living without heat.
What we know:
As temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s on Thursday, Jan. 15, community organizations offer warmth, shelter and, in some cases, bedding and breakfast for residents in need.
How cold will it get?
A strong cold front is expected to arrive in Central Florida late Wednesday into Thursday, bringing a sharp change in weather conditions.
Temperatures will begin to fall early Thursday behind the front and continue to drop through Friday.
Highs Thursday are expected to remain in the 50s and 60s, with wind chills mainly in the 40s and 50s. The coldest conditions will develop late Thursday night into early Friday.
Wind chill will be in the 20s on Friday.
Where is it the coldest?
Alachua and Marion counties are expected to experience the chilliest weather with temperatures falling into the upper 20s: 27 degrees in Gainesville, 27 degrees in Ocala and 28 degrees in The Villages.
In the Orlando area, temperatures are expected to fall into the low 30s, with 30 degrees in DeLand, 33 degrees in Orlando, 34 degrees in Kissimmee, 42 degrees in Cocoa Beach and 32 degrees in Palm Coast.
Central Florida cold weather shelters
Here are several warming shelters available throughout Central Florida:
Flagler County
Flagler County will open one warming center on Thursday, Jan. 15 and Friday, Jan. 16.
Where: The Rock Transformation Center, 2200 N. State St., BunnellWhen: 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.What to know: The shelter will provide a warm cot and two meals. The county will provide bus transportation from pick-up points starting at 4 p.m. For more information about transpiration, call 386-437-3258, extension 105. Orange County
Orange County will open two warming centers and one transportation hub in the evenings of Thursday, January 15, Friday, January 16, and Sunday, January 18.
Where: 4801 W Colonial Drive, OrlandoWhen: Open Jan. 15 from 5 pm. to 10 a.m. and Jan. 16, Jan. 18 from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.What to know: LYNX buses will offer free transportation to individuals traveling to a warming center. Secured pets are welcome on LYNX buses and at the warming centers. Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and are responsible for bringing food and supplies.
Where: 4863 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter ParkWhen: Open Jan. 15 from 5 pm. to 10 a.m. and Jan. 16, Jan. 18 from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m.What to know: LYNX buses will offer free transportation to individuals traveling to a warming center. Secured pets are welcome on LYNX buses and at the warming centers. Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and are responsible for bringing food and supplies.
Orange County offers a transportation hub at Bithlo Community Park.
Where: 18501 Washington Ave, OrlandoWhen: Jan. 15, Jan. 16 and Jan. 18 from 5:30 pm. to 7:30 p.m.
Additional HSN-partner locations providing homeless services include:
Coalition for the Homeless, 18 North Terry Ave., Orlando, FL 32801Matthew’s Hope – 611 Business Park Blvd., Winter Garden, FL 34787Orlando Union Rescue Mission, 3300 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32805The Salvation Army Orlando (Men Only), 624 Lexington Ave., Orlando, FL 32801The Salvation Army Orlando (Women and Children Only), 400 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 Osceola County
Osceola County will open three warming centers in the evenings of Thursday, January 15, Friday, January 16, and Sunday, January 18.
Where: 1000 Ohio Avenue, St. CloudWhen: Opens at 6 p.m.What to know: People needing transportation to shelters can travel at no cost using LYNX buses by alerting drivers that they will be going to the cold weather shelter. Pets are housed at Osceola Animal Services during the operation. Animals will need to be in a carrier before they board, unless they are a service dog. People can sign up for cold weather alerts on their phone by texting ‘COLDWEATHER’ to 888777.
Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa De Vida
Where: 2367 Fortune Road, KissimmeeWhen: Opens at 6 p.m.What to know: People needing transportation to shelters can travel at no cost using LYNX buses by alerting drivers that they will be going to the cold weather shelter. Pets are housed at Osceola Animal Services during the operation. Animals will need to be in a carrier before they board, unless they are a service dog. People can sign up for cold weather alerts on their phone by texting ‘COLDWEATHER’ to 888777.
Where: 3181 Pleasant Hill Road, KissimmeeWhen: Opens at 6 p.m.What to know: People needing transportation to shelters can travel at no cost using LYNX buses by alerting drivers that they will be going to the cold weather shelter. Pets are housed at Osceola Animal Services during the operation. Animals will need to be in a carrier before they board, unless they are a service dog. People can sign up for cold weather alerts on their phone by texting ‘COLDWEATHER’ to 888777. Volusia County
Volusia County will open one warming center in the evenings of Thursday, January 15 and Friday, January 16.
Neighborhood Center’s The Bridge
Where: 421 S. Palmetto Ave., DeLandWhen: Open on Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m. to Jan. 16 at 8 a.m.What to know: Breakfast is provided. For more information about services at The Bridge, contact the Neighborhood Center at 386-734-8120, ext. 601
On the east side of the county, cold-weather sheltering is coordinated through Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM) in partnership with local churches and nonprofit organizations. While HUM does not operate its own cold-weather shelter, it works with multiple groups to ensure individuals have access to safe, warm places to stay. For shelter or transportation needs, contact HUM at 386-317-5886.
What we don’t know:
This story will be updated as more warming centers are announced.
The Source: Information in this story was sourced from Flagler and Osceola counties.