HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – With temperatures predicted to nosedive later this week, Hillsborough County officials are activating emergency cold weather shelters for Thursday and Friday nights.
The decision comes as the National Weather Service forecasts a chill that meets the county’s strict activation threshold: temperatures dropping to or below 40 degrees—including wind chill—for at least two consecutive hours overnight.
Starting Thursday, Jan. 15, and continuing through Friday, Jan. 16, these shelters will offer a warm refuge for the homeless and residents living in homes without adequate heating.
READ: Big Chill Incoming: Rain And Gusts To Usher In Near-Freezing Lows For Tampa Bay
Officials are urging caution, warning that space is tight. Organizers expect high demand and limited beds, advising residents to treat these shelters as a last resort. Anyone with friends or family who can offer a couch or spare room is strongly encouraged to stay with them instead to keep shelter beds open for those with nowhere else to turn.
Shelter Logistics and Locations
Registration for all adult shelters runs strictly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on both nights. However, residents are advised to arrive early, as intake will stop immediately if a location hits maximum capacity before 8 p.m.
The county has partnered with several local organizations to staff these sites. Note that some locations are only open on specific nights:
- Tampa (Hyde Park Area):
- Thursday Only: Hyde Park United Methodist Church – Harnish Center (500 W. Platt St.)
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church – Magnolia Building (414 S. Magnolia Ave.)
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park (107 S. Oregon Ave.)
- Tampa (Downtown/East):
- Amazing Love Ministries (3304 E. Columbus Dr.)
- Friday Only: The Portico (1001 N. Florida Ave.)
- Brandon:
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope (110 S. Parsons Blvd.)
- Plant City:
- Greater New Hope Church Anointed Ministries (2104 Mud Lake Rd.)
Help for Families with Children
The congregate shelters listed above are reserved for adults. Families with minor children seeking relief from the cold must utilize a separate system.
Metropolitan Ministries is providing a limited number of motel vouchers for families. These are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and pre-registration is mandatory.
Families in need should call (813) 209-1176. Phone lines are scheduled to be open on Thursday, Jan. 15, until 5 p.m., though they will close earlier if the voucher supply runs out.
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