The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for some Central Florida counties this week.
When freezing temperatures dip below 40 degrees, it prompts a cold night weather shelter emergency response, but more counties are activating these protocols even though their temperatures will hover at or above 40.
Some counties in the northern side of Central Florida, such as Lake, Marion, Flagler, and Volusia have been on freeze warnings that continue this week.
In Flagler County:
The Sheltering Tree, formerly known as the Church on the Rock, has been providing cots and meals since Friday and will remain open overnight this Tuesday and Wednesday. Services are open to the public, not just people experiencing homelessness. This means, anyone lacking proper heating or shelter from the cold is welcome.
Located on 2200 North State Street in Bunnell, the shelter opens at 5 p.m. and closes at 8 the next morning each day. The county is also providing free bus rides to the shelter at two specific locations and routes:
East side of the county
- Dollar General at Publix Town Center on Market Avenue (leads to Dollar General), 3:30 p.m.
- McDonald’s at Old Kings Road South and State Road 100 at the dirt road on the east side, 4 p.m.
- Dollar Tree behind Carrabba’s in the Dollar Tree Parking lot, 4:30 p.m.
- Palm Coast Main Branch Library, northwest corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway, 4:45 p.m.
West side of the county
- Dollar General at County Road 305 and Canal Avenue in Daytona North, 4 p.m.
- Bunnell Free Clinic, 703 Moody Blvd., 4:30 p.m.
- Bridges United Methodist Church in Bunnell, 205 N. Pine Street, 4:30 p.m. (listed as the same pick-up time because of the close proximity.
For more information, people can call 386-437-3258.
In Marion County:
Late Monday night and Tuesday morning have an inland freeze and coastal frost warning, with the county expecting its coldest night of the season, so far, Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
The Salvation Army on 320 NW 1st Ave. in Ocala will open to those seeking refuge from the cold weather, preparing for an increase in the influx of guests. Check-in time is at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.
In Lake County:
The organization Lifepointe Church on 3551 East Orange Ave. in Eustis will open Tuesday night at 5 p.m. and close Wednesday at 8 a.m.
The county is offering free bus rides through their LakeXpress system. These can be scheduled by calling 352-742-2612.
In Volusia County:
For the west side of the county, The Neighborhood Center's The Bridge, on 421 South Palmetto Ave. in DeLand, will open a cold weather shelter Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m.
Guests are welcome to stay until 8 a.m. the following mornings after breakfast is served. Further details are available at 386-734-8120, extension 601.
Residents on the east side of the county can count on Halifax Urban Ministries in Daytona Beach to partner with churches and nonprofits in the area. To arrange for sheltering through these organizations, people should call 386-317-5886.
In Seminole County:
The county’s only emergency homeless shelter is opening its doors again.
Rescue Outreach Mission on 1701 W. 13th Street in Sanford opens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
In Osceola County:
The First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud located on 1000 Ohio Ave. in its titular city will be open at 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
Faith-based groups and other non-profits have been reaching out in areas where unhoused people tend to congregate to alert them of shelter availability and to help coordinate logistics.
LYNX is offering free bus rides to the shelter, and pets can be housed at the Osceola Animal Services building.
In Brevard County:
Brevard also opened shelters Monday and will keep those services available through Tuesday night.
LifePointe Ministries Inc. on 4220 South Hopkins Ave. in Titusville will open at 9 p.m, while the Central Brevard Sharing Center on 113 Aurora Street in Cocoa and the Daily Bread Inc. on 2205 Front Street in Melbourne open at 6 p.m.
All three locations will serve dinner and breakfast.
Lillian Hernández Caraballo is a Report for America corps member.
