OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – It is going to get very cold this week, and Osceola County is making sure everyone has a safe place to sleep. With temperatures expected to drop significantly, officials are opening three cold weather shelters starting Monday evening, January 26. These shelters will remain available every night through Thursday, January 29.
The county activates this plan whenever the forecast predicts the temperature will dip below 40 degrees for at least four hours overnight. The goal is to provide a warm refuge for those experiencing homelessness or anyone without adequate heating.
The shelters will open their doors at 6 p.m. at three locations: First United Methodist Church in St. Cloud, Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa De Vida on Fortune Road in Kissimmee, and Poinciana Christian Church on Pleasant Hill Road.
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Getting to these locations is simple and free. LYNX buses are offering rides at no cost to anyone who needs to get to a shelter; you just have to tell the driver that is where you are going. Local non-profits and faith groups are also out in the community right now, looking for people who need help to make sure they know where to go.
If you have a pet, they are accounted for, too. Osceola Animal Services helps house pets during these cold snaps. However, unless you have a service dog, you must put your animal in a carrier before boarding the bus.
For residents staying at home, officials are asking everyone to keep the “Five Ps” of cold weather safety in mind: Protect People, Protect Pets, Protect Pipes, Protect Plants, and Practice Fire Safety. This means bringing cats and dogs inside and covering sensitive plants. It is also vital to be careful with heating. Space heaters should be kept far away from curtains, beds, or clothes, and you should never use outdoor devices like grills inside your home, as they release deadly carbon monoxide gas.
If you want to stay updated on the weather situation, you can sign up for text alerts on your phone by texting ‘COLDWEATHER’ to 888777.
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