Cold weather shelter to open Tuesday night as temperatures plummet

With nightly temperatures predicted in the low 40s for the next several days, a local cold weather shelter has opened, Sarasota County announced Tuesday.

The shelter will be offered Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 at the Salvation Army, 1400 10th St., Sarasota. This shelter will be open from 5 p.m. until 6 a.m. A meal will be provided.

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 Cocoanut Avenue at 9th Street (Routes 2 and 99).

Those using the shelter should bring their own sleeping materials, the county said in a news release.

The National Weather Service predicts mostly clear nights through Thursday with lows between 41-43 degrees, with a north wind of 6 to 8 mph. That would mean a “feels like” temperature in the low 30s, according to the weather service website.

Emergency Management officials also 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.