Pasco Cold Weather Shelters Set to Open

Pasco County is bracing for its first real chill of the season by opening its cold weather shelters.

Temperatures in the overnight hours Tuesday and into the early morning Wednesday are expected to drop to near freezing or freezing. Add to this the possibility for a “hazardous wind chill” and the county said in an email to media that the conditions are right for action.

“These cold temperatures and low wind chill values are dangerous to anyone who will be outside for a long period of time,” the email from the county stated. “Children, the elderly, and pets are especially vulnerable to the cold and extra care should be taken to protect them. Make sure to bundle up and dress in layers to keep as warm as possible.”

The county’s cold weather shelters are available to anyone without access to heat. They are located at:

Impact Family Church

8020 Washington St., Port Richey

Call: 727-434-2176

Holy Ground Shelter

8835 Denton Ave., Hudson

Call: 727-863-9123

Both shelters will open at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The county’s bus service will provide free rides to those who need to shelters, but have no other way of getting there. Riders should inform drivers of their intention to go to a cold weather shelter, the county instructed.

Patch file photo