ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – With local temperatures expected to take a dangerous dip tonight, officials in St. Petersburg have activated emergency cold weather plans. The Homeless Leadership Alliance confirmed that cold night shelters are open as of Tuesday evening, Dec. 30, offering a safe haven for those with nowhere else to go.
The activation protocol is triggered whenever the National Weather Service forecasts that the “feels like” temperature will drop below 40 degrees across the county between the overnight hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
To ensure transportation isn’t a barrier to safety, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is providing free bus rides. From 5 p.m. Tuesday through 7 a.m. Wednesday, riders simply need to tell their driver they are traveling to a “Pinellas Cold Night Shelter” to board without paying a fare.
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Shelters will accept guests on a first-come, first-served basis until they reach capacity. The following locations in St. Petersburg are currently accepting adult men and women:
- Unitarian Universalist Church
- Location: 100 Mirror Lake Dr. N
- Hours: 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.
- Transportation: Accessible via PSTA Routes #9, #20, and the SunRunner.
- Note: This location requires the use of stairs.
- Salvation Army
- Location: 1400 4th Street South
- Hours: 6 p.m. – 6 a.m.
- Transportation: Accessible via PSTA Route #4A or B.
Families with children are handled differently to ensure appropriate accommodations. They are urged to call First Contact at 2-1-1 immediately for information on family shelter availability in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
Residents who wish to help the effort through volunteering or donations, or those seeking a full list of shelters across Pinellas County, can visit www.PinellasHomeless.org/coldnightshelters.
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