A expected cold spell that will dive deep into Florida has prompted several counties to prepare for the frigid weather.
LEE COUNTY
Lee County Government is coordinating with its partnering entities this weekend to activate its Cold Weather Outreach Plan.
Severe Weather Outreach Teams are mobilized to specific locations when inland temperatures are projected to drop to 40 degrees or lower for an extended period.
Teams include Human & Veteran Services staff and members of the HOT Team (Housing, Outreach and Treatment), including law enforcement and Centerstone Behavioral Health. Teams provide cold weather items and access to transportation to shelter at the Bob Janes Empowerment Center.
Outreach efforts began today and will continue through the weekend.
Lee County Human & Veteran Services’ coordinated entry phone line has information regarding outreach locations, transportation assistance, sheltering and supplies. The number is 239-533-7996.
The department’s Lee Reach app, which is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play, will also be updated. Persons experiencing homelessness can sign up to receive push alerts from the app.
The county has identified several designated outreach locations on or near LeeTran routes where volunteers and staff will distribute blankets, hand-warmers, socks, and assist with transportation if a person experiencing homelessness accepts a sheltering offer.
- Lion’s Park, 2550 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers
- Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., Fort Myers
- Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St., Fort Myers
- Rosa Parks Transfer Station, 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers
- Edison Mall Transfer Station, southeast corner of the mall near Solomon Blvd.
- Cape Coral Transfer Center, 820 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral
- North Fort Myers Library/North Fort Myers Community Park, 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers
- South Fort Myers Transfer Station, 13182 South Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers.
- Schandler Hall Park, 419 Royal Palm Park Road, Fort Myers
Emergency Management is monitoring the cold temperatures and encourages residents to monitor updates from the National Weather Service.
For more information about the Lee County Human & Veteran Services, visit www.leegov.com/dhs.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Saturday night into Sunday morning the National Weather Service forecasts a low of 39 degrees for Charlotte County with wind chills in the low 30s.
The Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, 1476 Kenesaw St., Port Charlotte, will provide shelter to persons needing refuge from the cold. Guest will need to pre-register by calling 941-627-4313 and arrive by 8 p.m.
For information, contact Todd Dunn at 941-740-1929 or Todd.Dunn@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
SARASOTA COUNTY
Sarasota County is opening a cold weather shelter on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. Guests should bring their own sleeping materials, according to a news release.
Breeze Route 9 operating on a normal schedule will arrive within about one block of the shelter. Breeze Route 17 operating on a normal schedule will transport guests from Sarasota to Venice. From there, a transfer to the Breeze Route 9 route will drop them off within one block of the shelter.
To check routes and bus arrival times, check out the Breeze Rider app here.
- 100 Church
14525 Tamiami Trail
North Port, FL 34287
WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you. WUSF reporter Gabriella Pinos contributed to this report.