EDITOR'S FORECAST NOTE: The odds of significant cold, coastal, and marine impacts across South Florida continue into the coming week. Sunday will be the coldest day for many parts of Southwest Florida in seven years.
Lee County Government is coordinating with its partner agencies for continued cold-weather outreach into next week.
The Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services, Lee County Transit (LeeTran) and additional partners typically coordinate plans during timeframes in which the temperature drops below 40 degrees, true temperature or with windchill, for a period of time.
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Plans include:
- Through Feb. 4: The Salvation Army will continue to provide a limited number of single beds on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals seeking relief from cold weather conditions. Shelter will be available through the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 4. Individuals in need of shelter are encouraged to arrive for intake before 7 p.m. at 2400 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901. The Salvation Army will reassess capacity daily through Tuesday, Feb. 3, and will continue accepting individuals as space allows. For more information, contact The Salvation Army at 239-334-3745.
- Sunday, Feb. 1, through Wednesday, Feb. 4: LeeTran will provide Warming Buses at the locations listed below:
- 6 a.m. - 10 a.m., South Fort Myers Transfer Station (13182 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33907)
- 6 a.m. - 10 a.m., Lehigh Acres Park & Ride (1121 Village Lakes Blvd., Lehigh Acres, FL 33972)
- 6 a.m. - 10 a.m., Cape Coral Transfer Station (820 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL 33904)
- Monday, Feb. 2, through Wednesday, Feb. 4: Housing, Outreach and Treatment (HOT) teams will be in the community connecting with individuals experiencing homelessness to provide resources and distribute cold-weather supplies, including jackets, socks, blankets and hand warmers.
- Monday, Feb. 2, and Tuesday, Feb. 3: Mobile Warming Stations will be available at the locations listed below and will distribute cold weather supplies, including jackets, socks, blankets and hand warmers.
- 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Lions Park (2550 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901)
- 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Rosa Parks Transfer Station (2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers, FL 33919)
- 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Edison Mall Transfer Station (4125 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33901)
- 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., South Fort Myers Transfer Station (13182 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33907)
- Monday, Feb. 2, through Wednesday, Feb. 4: Warming Stations will be open at the locations listed below:
- 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Dunbar United Way Resiliency Hub at Community Cooperative (3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916)
- 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Harlem Heights United Way Resiliency Hub at The Heights Center (15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908)
- 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sanibel United Way Resiliency Hub at F.I.S.H of Sanibel-Captiva (2422 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957)
- 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., Pine Manor United Way Resiliency Hub - Pine Manor Improvement Association (5547 10th Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33907)
- 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Tice United Way Resiliency Hub at Goodwill Industries (5100 Tice St., Fort Myers, FL 33905)
- 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Cape Coral United Way Resiliency Hub at Goodwill Industries (1499 SW. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991)
- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Cape Coral Caring Center (1420 SE. 47th Street, Cape Coral, FL 33904)
- 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Pine Island United Way Resiliency Hub at Beacon of Hope (5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City, FL 33956)
- 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Charleston Park United Way Resiliency Hub - Goodwill Industries (2541 Charleston Park Drive, Alva, FL 33920)
- 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fort Myers Regional Library (2450 First St. Fort Myers, FL 33901)
- 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., North Fort Myers Library/Parks and Recreation (2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, FL 33903)
- 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and noon to 5 p.m., Literacy Council Gulf Coast Bonita Springs United Way Resiliency Hub (26820 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34315)
Lee County Human & Veteran Services’ (HVS) Reach app, which is a free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play, is another way individuals experiencing homelessness can garner information. App users should sign up to receive push alerts to receive timely updates.
Lee County’s coordinated entry phone line is available to connect individuals to services and resources. Call 239-533-7996 or visit www.leegov.com/dhs.
Lee County Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Management staff is monitoring the cold temperatures and encourages residents to monitor updates from the National Weather Service.
Florida Gulf Coast University issued an alert to faculty, staff and students late Friday saying the university's Emergency Management was monitoring a significant Arctic cold blast expected to impact Southwest Florida this weekend, with the harshest impacts to be felt Saturday evening into Monday morning. Widespread below-freezing temperatures are expected, with “feels-like” temperatures (wind chill) likely to drop the air temperature to the 20s or upper teens on Sunday morning.
"While there are no changes in campus operations, we want to make sure our students and employees are planning ahead for the complex range of hazards the Arctic front could cause, including freeze conditions, icy surfaces and an increased risk of fire or infrastructure impacts," the alert said.
Advance awareness and simple preventive steps will reduce the chance of avoidable incidents.
Collier County The National Weather Service predicts that overnight temperatures in Collier County will drop to 40°F or lower this weekend, and early next week. To assist those in need, the following locations will serve as warming shelters:
Naples: St. Matthew's House, 2001 Airport-Pulling Road South, (239) 774-0500
Immokalee: Immokalee Friendship House, 34112 Immokalee, (239) 657-4090
Those who plan to use the warming shelter should make efforts to bring their own bedding, food, medications, toiletries, water, and anything else they need to be comfortable.
As a reminder, cold-weather safety rules include:
- Protect People: Pay careful attention to children and the elderly. They are especially vulnerable to the cold and the least able to protect themselves. Dress in layers and wear a hat that covers your ears when outdoors.
- Protect Pets: Bring pets indoors. Pets that must be left outside should have an enclosed shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind.
- Protect Against Fires in the Home: Take the time to prepare and inspect heating equipment before using it. According to the National Fire Protection Association, incorrect use of heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires.
For more information, call 311 or (239) 252-4311.
Due to continued cold temperatures forecast by the National Weather Service, the Charlotte CARE Center (formerly the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition) will be open as a cold weather shelter on Sunday, Feb. 1; and Monday, Feb. 2.
The shelter is located at 1476 Kenesaw St., Port Charlotte. Monday night has been added due to the extended cold weather forecast. Individuals seeking shelter should pre-register by calling 941-627-4313 and arrive by 8 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service, numerous hazards are associated with this cold front, including:
- Some of the coldest temperatures in the past 15 years
- Cold Weather Advisory in effect for Charlotte County west of I-75, where wind chill values may drop to 25°F or lower
- Extreme Cold/Freeze Warning in effect for Charlotte County east of I-75, where wind chill values may drop to 20°F or lower
- Wind Advisory with sustained winds of 20–40 mph and gusts up to 50 mph following frontal passage
- Gale Warning for all coastal waters with winds of 30–40 knots and gusts up to 45 knots
- High Risk of Rip Currents and High Surf Advisory, with breaking waves of 5–7 feet along beaches
Temperatures along the coast are expected to be slightly warmer, but dangerously cold conditions will still be present countywide.
Residents are encouraged to take steps now to protect people, pets, plants, and property during this cold weather event:
- Protect People: Dress in layers, limit time outdoors, and check on elderly neighbors and those with medical needs.
- Protect Pets: Bring pets indoors or provide warm, dry shelter. Do not leave animals outside in freezing temperatures.
- Protect Plants: Cover sensitive vegetation or bring potted plants indoors.
- Protect Pipes: Wrap exposed pipes, and know where your shutoff valve is located.
- Use Heating Safely: Never use grills or outdoor heaters indoors. Ensure space heaters are kept at least three feet from anything that can burn and plugged directly into a wall outlet and not an extension cord.
For shelter operation questions, contact the Charlotte CARE Center at 941-627-4313.
With frigid temperatures expected to continue into next week, Manatee County, in partnership with community organizations, is extending cold weather shelter operations to help residents stay safe and warm.
Cold weather shelters remain open tonight, Thursday, Jan. 29, as previously announced. Operations at these cold weather shelter operations will operate through Tuesday, Feb 3.
The Salvation Army will open a cold weather shelter at its Manatee County location, 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton, with check-in beginning at 6 p.m. each night shelters are open.
In addition, Under One Roof, located at 407 57th Ave E., Bradenton, will open early to provide shelter for women in need during the cold weather. The women-only facility will open its doors at 2:45 p.m., earlier than its normal 3 p.m. check-in time.
Transportation to Under One Roof and the Salvation Army will be available through Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT), at 2:30 p.m., from Turning Points, located at 701 17th Ave W, Bradenton.
Turning Points also will be open to provide warmth and coffee during the cold weather.
Residents are encouraged to help spread the word to anyone who may need a warm, safe place during the cold temperatures.
For more information on cold weather safety and cold weather shelter updates, visit mymanatee.org/cold. For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org.
Warming stations are also open in Hendry County.
Hendry County Emergency Management, in partnership with the Clewiston Police Department, is opening warming stations for people seeking relief from the cold.
These locations will offer a warm, safe environment, along with coffee or hot chocolate. Blankets will also be available for those in need.
A station is located in LaBelle at the United Way Resiliency Hub, 133 N. Bridge Street and is open at 8 p.m. evenings until 6 a.m. mornings through Wednesday, Feb. 4.
The Clewiston Police Department at 300 S. Berner Road will have its lobby open throughout the night and daily until the cold weather subsides.
Sarasota County Emergency Management officials have coordinated with municipal and community partners to provide cold weather sheltering tonight, Feb. 2, for those individuals in need due to the predicted drop in temperatures.
The Salvation Army – Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota, will conduct their cold weather operations plan tonight, Monday, Feb. 2.
Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Guests will need to leave campus afterward and may return at 7 p.m. for shelter entry. Guests must be checked in by 8:30 p.m. Showers will be available from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and all guests will be required to present a valid ID for identification at check-in. Breakfast will be provided to-go in the morning, and all guests will need to depart campus by 6 a.m.
Breeze Routes 2, 7, 8, or 99 operating on normal schedules will arrive within about two blocks of the Salvation Army on 10th Street.
Visit www.scgov.net/breeze for information on Breeze services. The Breeze Rider app can also be used to check bus arrival times and plan routes.
Remnant Church, 2895 Ashton Road, Sarasota, are open for a cold weather shelter tonight, Monday, Feb. 2. Doors are open until midnight. Meals will be provided.
Breeze Route 25 stops on Swift Road at Ashton Road, within 0.1 mile of the address for Remnant Church.
The 100 Church, 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port, will open a cold weather shelter tonight, Feb. 2. Please bring sleeping supplies.
Breeze Route 9 operating on a normal schedule will arrive within about one block of 100 Church. Those in the North Port service area could also use the Breeze OnDemand service.
Visit www.scgov.net/breeze for information on Breeze services. The Breeze Rider app can also be used to check bus arrival times and plan routes.
Emergency Management officials remind residents that pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. Those who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind. Sarasota County Fire Department officials advise using extreme caution when heating your home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices. More heating safety tips can be found here.
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