The greater Tampa Bay area shouldn't see the snow and ice that's been forecast in the Florida Panhandle and North Florida this week, but we can still expect cold weather.
Low temperatures through the weekend are expected to drop into the lower 40s, with freezing temperatures possible in northern sections of the region.
As a result, cold weather shelters are being opened for people without homes or those who live in homes without adequate heat.
Hillsborough County
Five shelters will be open nightly through Saturday morning. People can arrive between 6 and 8 p.m. but space is limited.
Organizers say they are expecting high demand with limited capacity, so they're encouraging residents to use all resources like friends and family as a first option.
- Church of God of Prophecy Hyde Park, 107 S. Oregon Ave., Tampa
- Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St., Tampa
- Tampa Bay Mission of Hope, 212 S. St. Cloud Ave. Building A, Valrico
- Amazing Love Ministries, 3304 E. Columbus Dr., Tampa
- Greater New Hope Anointed Ministry, 2104 Mud Lake Rd., Plant City
Metropolitan Ministries has single-night motel vouchers for Hillsborough families with children. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis and pre-registration is required. Call (813) 209-1176.
Pinellas County
Pinellas will open shelters Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Many sites will serve meals.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will provide free bus rides to and from the shelters starting at 5 p.m. Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a shelter when boarding to ride fare-free.
The following shelters will be open Wednesday night:
- First United Methodist Church, 9025 49th Street North, Pinellas Park (PSTA Route #52). This location requires the use of stairs.
- WestCare Turning Point, 1801 5th Ave. North, St Petersburg (PSTA Route #9)
- Salvation Army, 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg (PSTA Route #4)
The following shelters will be open Thursday and Friday nights:
- Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs, 111 W Lime Street, Tarpon Springs (PSTA Route #19)
- First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, 411 Turner Street, Clearwater (PSTA Route #52)
- Boys & Girls Club of the Suncoast in Pinellas Park, 7790 61st Street North, Pinellas Park (PSTA Route #74)
- First United Methodist Church, 9025 49th Street North, Pinellas Park (PSTA Route #52). This location requires the use of stairs.
- WestCare Turning Point, 1801 5th Ave. North, St Petersburg (PSTA Route #9)
- Unitarian Universalist Church, 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg (PSTA Routes #18, #23 or #100X). This location requires the use of stairs.
- Salvation Army, 1400 4th Street South, St. Petersburg (PSTA Route #4)
Families with children will be placed in family shelters (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information about family shelters.
Sarasota County
Sarasota County has two shelters open Thursday and Friday nights. Those attending should bring their own sleeping materials.
- 100 Church, 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port
The shelter will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Breeze Route 9 is operating on a normal schedule and serves stops on Tamiami Trail at Espanola Avenue/Almonte Terrace. Those in the North Port service area could also use Breeze OnDemand services. Visit www.scgov.net/breeze for information on Breeze services. - Salvation Army, 1400 10th Street, Sarasota
The shelter will be open from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The Salvation Army is a 0.2-mile walk from the Breeze bus stop on Orange Avenue at 10th St (Routes 7 and 8), or a 0.3-mile walk from the Breeze bus stop on Coconut Avenue at 9th Street (Routes 2 and 99).
Manatee County
Manatee County and The Salvation Army will open a open cold weather shelter at the Salvation Army's location at 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and there will be space for 50 people.
It's in addition to the Salvation Army's daily sheltering program that has space for 60 individuals overnight during regular and high temperatures.
Pasco County
Pasco County is opening a shelter in Spring Hill from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Sunday.
- Shady Hills Mission Chapel, 15925 Greenglen Lane, Spring Hill
For more information, please call 727-856-2948.
Hernando County
A warming center will be open at the Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville. The center will be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Citrus County
A shelter will be open nightly through Saturday morning. The shelter will be open from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Nature Coast Church, 5113 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa
