HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Thursday in the Tampa Bay area, with very cold wind chills forecast to reach as low as 34 degrees overnight.
For those who may live in a home without adequate heat or don't have any other accommodations, Hillsborough and Sarasota counties will be opening cold weather shelters on Wednesday night.
However, county officials said they are expecting high demand with limited capacity, so residents who need a warm place to stay are "encouraged to use all resources like friends and family as a first option."
Hillsborough County cold shelters
The following cold weather shelters will be taking in guests in Hillsborough County from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 11:
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park
- Address: 107 South Oregon Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church
- Address: 500 West Platt St., Tampa, FL 33606
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope
- Address: 212 South St. Cloud Ave., Building A, Valrico, FL 33594
"All congregate shelters are reserved for adults only," the county's website states. "Metropolitan Ministries is supplying a limited number of single-night motel vouchers on a first-come, first-served basis for families with minor children."
Those with minor children interested in motel vouchers must pre-register by calling (813)-209-1176.
Sarasota County cold shelter
The following cold weather shelters will be taking in guests starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11:
- The 100 Church
- Address: 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL 34287
Breeze Route 9 stops on Tamiami Trail at Espanola Avenue/Almonte Terrace, which is a 0.1-mile walk to the 100 Church.
