Whether you live in Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach or Palatka, there is a center providing an overnight cold shelter from Sunday night into Monday morning.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In response to another round of freezing temperatures forecasted overnight Sunday and into Monday morning, shelters and centers across the First Coast are opening up to keep people in need out of the cold.
Below is a list of shelters by county. The list will be updated as more become apparent.
Duval County
The City of Jacksonville is activating its Warming Center Contingency Plan again, which involves opening the Legends Center overnight anytime temperatures are expected to drop to 27 degrees or lower.
The center, located at 5130 Soutel Dr., will be open from 9 p.m. Sunday to 9 a.m. Monday. JTA buses willl provide rides to the shelter, which will be staffed and have water available on-site.
Residents using the Legends Center are asked to bring the following items, if desired:
Air mattress, blankets, pillows, or other beddingSnacks and medicationGames, toys, and booksHygiene and comfort items
All libraries and city community centers will also be open during regular business hours and serve as warming centers across Duval County.
The city’s nonprofit partners will also provide cold-weather shelter services to those experiencing homelessness:
City Rescue Mission, 234 W. State St.Mission House, 465 11th Ave., with overnight operations at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal, 1150 5th St.Sulzbacher Center611 East Adams St. – Men5455 Springfield Blvd. – Women and childrenTrinity Rescue Mission, 622 W. Union St.
St. Johns County
The Grace United Methodist Church (red door church) will open as an overnight cold shelter on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m.
The church is located at 8 Carrera Street.
On cold nights in St. Augustine, you can call the cold night shelter hotline at (904) 819-4344.
Nassau County
The Coalition for the Homeless of Nassau County, in partnership with the City of Fernandina Beach, operates a cold night shelter whenever temperatures drop below 42 degrees.
It is located at the MLK Rec Center at 1200 Elm Street and will be open overnight from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Putnam County
Putnam County, in collaboration with the City of Palatka, will run a cold weather shelter at the SMA Healthcare facility from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. overnight on Sunday, Jan. 18.
It is located at 320 Kay Larkin Drive.
Officials say space is limited to 15 people and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“While we are grateful to SMA for opening their doors, we have been advised tonight is the last night they are able to accommodate shelter operations,” Putnam County Emergency Management said on Sunday.
Columbia County
The Parkview Baptist Church in Lake City will be open as a cold weather shelter overnight Sunday, Jan. 18, with check-in at 5:30 p.m.