OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County is activating its cold-weather protocols, opening three emergency shelters on Monday evening as a significant drop in temperatures is expected this week. The protocol is triggered when overnight temperatures are predicted to fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four consecutive hours.
The three shelters will open their doors at 6 p.m. on Monday to provide a nighttime refuge for those experiencing homelessness:
- First United Methodist Church St. Cloud (1000 Ohio Avenue, St. Cloud)
- Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa De Vida (2367 Fortune Road, Kissimmee)
- Poinciana Christian Church (3181 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee)
Free transportation is available to shelter locations via LYNX buses. Individuals simply need to alert the driver that they are traveling to a cold weather shelter.
For those with animals, pets can be housed at Osceola Animal Services during the shelter operation. Pet owners must have their animals in a carrier before boarding the bus, unless the animal is a service dog.
Faith-based groups and other non-profits are actively reaching out to areas where the homeless population congregates to inform them of the shelter availability and help coordinate logistics.
The cold weather shelter program is a collaboration between the Osceola County Office of Emergency Management, the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, LYNX, and numerous non-profits, including the Hope Partnership, the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, the Osceola Council on Aging, and the Salvation Army.
Officials Urge Residents to Practice Safety
Osceola officials are urging all residents to follow “the Five Ps for Cold Weather Preparedness”:
- Protect People
- Protect Pets
- Protect Pipes
- Protect Plants
- Practice Fire Safety
Residents are reminded to use safe heating sources indoors and keep space heaters away from flammable materials like draperies and clothing. Crucially, do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills indoors, as they release deadly carbon monoxide gas. Pet owners should ensure vulnerable dogs and cats are brought inside or given warm shelter.
Residents can sign up for cold-weather alerts on their phones by texting ‘COLDWEATHER’ to 888777.
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