HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Residents in Hillsborough County should prepare for a freezing night this Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. With the National Weather Service predicting temperatures will drop to 40 degrees or lower—including wind chill—for several hours overnight, county officials are activating emergency cold weather shelters to help those in need.
This activation applies to anyone who is currently homeless or living in a house without proper heating. The county decides to open these doors whenever the forecast shows freezing conditions lasting for at least two hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. That is exactly what is expected to happen tonight.
READ: Tampa Bay Forecast: Sunny Warm-Up Is Coming Before A Weekend Freeze
If you or someone you know needs a warm place to sleep, intake for all shelter locations will begin at 6 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. However, organizers are urging people not to wait until the last minute.
Because space is very tight and demand is expected to be high, officials recommend staying with family or friends if that is an option. These shelters are intended for those who truly have nowhere else to turn.
Please note that these specific locations are for adults only. If you plan to go, be sure to arrive before 8 p.m., as they will stop accepting guests once they are full.
The following locations will be open this evening:
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church (Magnolia Building) at 414 S. Magnolia Ave. in Tampa.
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope at 110 S. Parsons Ave. in Brandon.
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park at 107 S. Oregon Ave. in Tampa.
- Amazing Love Ministries at 3304 E. Columbus Dr. in Tampa.
- Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries at 2104 Mud Lake Rd. in Plant City.
- The Portico at 1001 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa.
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