Southwest Florida braces for upcoming cold snap, several shelters open

Due to an upcoming cold front, several shelters within Southwest Florida have activated its cold weather strategies, as temperatures are expected to plummet 40 to 50 degrees in less than 48 hours.

A freeze is likely across northern Florida, while patchy frost could extend into parts of Southwest Florida on the mornings of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Lee County

The Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services, along with Lee County Transit (LeeTran) and other partners, is set to implement a series of initiatives to help the community.

The Salvation Army will offer a limited number of single beds on a first-come, first-served basis at 2400 Edison Avenue, Fort Myers, starting Tuesday, Dec. 30, through the morning of Thursday, Jan. 1. Intake for those seeking shelter begins on Dec. 30 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information, individuals can contact The Salvation Army at 239-789-1169.

On Dec. 30, Housing, Outreach and Treatment (HOT) teams will be out in the community providing resources and distributing cold-weather supplies such as jackets, socks, blankets, and hand warmers to those experiencing homelessness.

On Dec. 31, LeeTran will offer Warming Buses at various locations, including the Rosa Parks Transfer Station, Lehigh Acres Park & Ride, and Cape Coral Transfer Station.

Warming Stations will also be operational on Dec. 31 at several United Way Resiliency Hubs across Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, and Alva. Mobile Warming Stations will distribute supplies at locations like Lions Park, Rosa Parks Transfer Station, Edison Mall Transfer Station, and South Fort Myers Transfer Station.

The Lee County Human & Veteran Services’ Reach app, available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play, provides another resource for individuals in need. Users are encouraged to sign up for push alerts to receive timely updates.

Lee County’s coordinated entry phone line is available at 239-533-7996 for those seeking services and resources.

For more updates, residents can sign up for the Lee County Government newsletter or follow them on social media.

Collier County

St. Matthew’s House is opening a few emergency shelters to the public for four days this week, starting Tuesday night through Friday night.

This is due to the cold weather approaching Southwest Florida. According to The Weather Authority, a cold front is expected to arrive early Tuesday morning, with highs in the 60s. Wednesday morning, temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s around Southwest Florida. This trend will persist until Friday.

St. Matthew’s House always opens its emergency shelters to the public when the low temperatures drop to 55 degrees or colder.

They are asking people to please check into one of their two shelters: the Campbell Lodge at 2001 Airport Road South, 34112 in Naples, or the Immokalee Friendship Lodge at 602 W Main Street, 34142 in Immokalee at 8 p.m. on any of those nights.

St. Matthew’s House will provide beds, pillows, blankets, snacks and coffee in a safe and secure environment for everyone. They said that there's plenty of space for anyone in need.

They are also asking for donations of blankets, pillows, coats, gloves and socks for guests staying at the shelters.

Guests will be required to take a breathalyzer test.

Charlotte County

The Charlotte CARE Center, formerly the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition will provide cold refuge sheltering for people in need. Guest will need to pre-register by calling 941-627-4313 and arrive by 8 p.m. The center is located at 1476 Kenesaw Street, in Port Charlotte.