Hillsborough County officials are racing to get vulnerable residents out of the cold tonight. Cold weather shelters will activate Tuesday, Jan. 20, in response to a National Weather Service forecast predicting a dangerous drop in temperatures.
The county rolls out this emergency plan whenever “feels like” temperatures are expected to hit 40 degrees or lower for at least two consecutive hours overnight. Forecasters say those conditions are locked in for Tuesday night, prompting the immediate opening of multiple refuge sites.
Space is Tight: What You Need to Know
Organizers are blunt about the situation: capacity is limited. They are urging anyone with other options—a couch at a friend’s house or a spare room with family—to take them. These shelters are a last line of defense for the homeless and residents living without adequate heat who have nowhere else to turn.
When and Where to Go
Intake is strictly scheduled. Shelters will accept guests tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 20, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Note: Doors may close early if a location fills up, so do not wait until the last minute.…