TAMPA, Fla. – As residents prepare to ring in 2026, Hillsborough County officials are urging those without a warm place to stay to seek shelter immediately. With temperatures expected to drop significantly tonight, the county has activated its cold weather emergency plan for New Year’s Eve, December 31.
The activation comes in response to a National Weather Service forecast predicting temperatures will fall to or below 40 degrees—including wind chill—for at least two consecutive hours overnight.
County officials issued a warning alongside the announcement: demand is expected to be high, and capacity at these emergency sites is limited. Organizers are asking residents to treat these shelters as a last resort. Anyone with friends or family who can offer a warm room is strongly encouraged to stay with them instead, ensuring that shelter beds remain available for the homeless and those living in homes without adequate heat.
READ: Bundle Up, Tampa Bay: Frosty Start To 2026 Gives Way To Weekend Showers
When and Where to Go
Shelter intake will take place tonight between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Residents are advised to arrive as early as possible within this window, as locations may close their doors early if they reach maximum capacity.
The county is partnering with local organizations to operate the following locations for adults only:
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church 500 W. Platt St., Tampa
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope 110 S. Parsons Ave., Brandon
- The Portico 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park 107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa
- Amazing Love Ministries 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa
- Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries 2104 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City
All listed shelters are congregate settings explicitly reserved for adults. Families with children in need of assistance should contact local social services for alternative arrangements.
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