BRADENTON, Fla. (WFLA) — Temperatures are dropping across the Tampa Bay area and people are bundling up.
For those who may not have a warm place to stay, shelters are opening up across the area.
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Manatee County’s Emergency Management Division said it coordinated with the Salvation Army to open cold weather shelter space at their 1204 14th St. West location in Bradenton this week. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night through Thursday. County officials said this space is in addition to the daily sheltering program.
Paul Fowler, who oversees the shelters, showed us around the property Tuesday and explained how they prepare for the potential influx of people on cold winter nights.
“We do anticipate more people coming in, so we will have our dorms set up, and then we will also have extra mats available,” Fowler said.
He explained the facility has been busy over the last several months, with many first time clients. Anyone from families who were priced out of their apartments to people who lost everything during the back to back hurricanes.