Emergency cold-weather shelters will be open starting Monday evening in St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties as a cold front brings much cooler weather to Florida.
The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for inland Palm Beach County and inland areas of the entire Treasure Coast on Tuesday from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wind chills are expected to get as low as 31 degrees, which could lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.
St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce will be partnering with In the Image of Christ to operate a cold-weather shelter at the Percy Peek Gym, located at 2902 Avenue D.
The shelter will open at 5 p.m. on Monday and close at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
For individuals who need transportation to the temporary shelter, the Area Regional Transit (ART) will have free vehicles providing transportation at the locations below starting at 6 p.m. and tentatively ending at 8 p.m.:
Port St. Lucie Intermodal Station, 395 SE Deacon Ave. in Port St. LuciePrima Vista Crossing Bus Stop on Prima Vista, east of U.S. 1Pinewood Park, 820 Sunrise Blvd. in Fort PierceKilmer Branch Library, 101 Melody Lane in Fort PiercePublix Plaza at Taylor Creek, 1851 North U.S. 1 in Fort PiercePercy Peek Gym, 2902 Avenue D in Fort Pierce
For more information about the emergency cold weather shelter at Percy Peek Gym, contact Pastor Hazel Hoylman with In the Image of Christ at 772-359-9653.
Indian River County
Two shelters will be open in Indian River County on Monday night.
“The Source,” located at 1015 Commerce Ave., will have 36 beds available from 9 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Registration started at 2 p.m. on Monday on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons in need must arrive by 9 p.m. with light meals provided. For more information, call 772-564-0202.
The second shelter will be open at the Salvation Army in Vero Beach, located at 2655 FifthStreet Southwest. They are offering shelter for up to 40 people from 7 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Registration is on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. Light meals will be provided. For more information, call 772-978-0265.
Okeechobee County
A cold weather shelter will be open in Okeechobee at RiteLife Services, located a 202 Northeast Second Street, starting at 6 p.m. Monday for anyone needing shelter. Call 561-503-1323 for more information.
WPTV spoke with residents Monday about how they’re preparing for the impending cold snap.
Phil Giudice, who is originally from New York, came to Juno Beach for his daily bike ride in a sweatshirt and long sleeves. He said even though he used to think of 40 degrees as a warm winter day, he’s no longer sure if he’ll go out tomorrow because it’s too cold.
“Your blood thins real quick here and then you can’t handle the cold at all anymore,” Giudice said.
He said he came to the beach today because he wasn’t sure if he’d see the ocean tomorrow.
Lisa Koslow, who was outside for a walk, said she might skip the walk tomorrow as well because it’s too cold. But she’s not frustrated about missing a day of walking because the weather is nice all year long.
“We live in paradise,” said Koslow. “I know some of the snowbirds get frustrated but I’m here all year around. So I enjoy the cool weather occasionally.”
She said she’s most excited to wear sweaters and other warm-weather clothes. Alex and Letizia Garcia, who are married, said they brought a change of clothes in case it gets cold. They said they are hosting their friends from Canada and are a little disappointed it’s too cold to swim in the ocean.
“They don’t get to experience the typical Florida experience because obviously you want to show them a good time,” said Letizia.
Alex said he was hopeful it would get cold, but he was frustrated the cold weather won’t stay with forecasts expected to move back into the 60s.
“It’s not even going to be cold enough to turn the heat on in the house,” said Alex.
WPTV will update this story as more emergency weather shelters are announced.
Indian River County
Two shelters will be open in Indian River County on Monday night.
“The Source,” located at 1015 Commerce Ave., will have 36 beds available from 9 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday. Registration started at 2 p.m. on Monday on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons in need must arrive by 9 p.m. with light meals provided. For more information, call 772-564-0202.
The second shelter will be open at the Salvation Army in Vero Beach, located at 2655 Fifth Street Southwest. They are offering shelter for up to 40 people from 7 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Registration is on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. Light meals will be provided. For more information, call 772-978-0265.
Okeechobee County
A cold weather shelter will be open in Okeechobee at RiteLife Services, located a 202 Northeast Second Street, starting at 6 p.m. Monday for anyone needing shelter. Call 561-503-1323 for more information.
WFLX spoke with residents Monday about how they’re preparing for the impending cold snap.
Phil Giudice, who is originally from New York, came to Juno Beach for his daily bike ride in a sweatshirt and long sleeves. He said even though he used to think of 40 degrees as a warm winter day, he’s no longer sure if he’ll go out tomorrow because it’s too cold.
“Your blood thins real quick here and then you can’t handle the cold at all anymore,” Giudice said.
He said he came to the beach today because he wasn’t sure if he’d see the ocean tomorrow.
Lisa Koslow, who was outside for a walk, said she might skip the walk tomorrow as well because it’s too cold. But she’s not frustrated about missing a day of walking because the weather is nice all year long.
“We live in paradise,” said Koslow. “I know some of the snowbirds get frustrated but I’m here all year around. So I enjoy the cool weather occasionally.”
She said she’s most excited to wear sweaters and other warm-weather clothes. Alex and Letizia Garcia, who are married, said they brought a change of clothes in case it gets cold. They said they are hosting their friends from Canada and are a little disappointed it’s too cold to swim in the ocean.
“They don’t get to experience the typical Florida experience because obviously you want to show them a good time,” said Letizia.
Alex said he was hopeful it would get cold, but he was frustrated the cold weather won’t stay with forecasts expected to move back into the 60s.
“It’s not even going to be cold enough to turn the heat on in the house,” said Alex.
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