Cold Weather Shelters Open In Sarasota, North Port Saturday

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Two cold weather shelters will open this weekend because of an expected drop in temperatures, Sarasota County Emergency Management said in a news release.

Temperatures could drop as low as 33 degrees in parts of the Sarasota area overnight Saturday, according to AccuWeather.

On Saturday, a shelter will open at the Salvation Army's Center of Hope at 1400 10th Street in downtown Sarasota.

Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., while intake for the shelter will begin at 7 p.m. Breakfast will be served at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

In North Port, a cold weather shelter will also open Saturday and Sunday at 100 Church, located at 14525 Tamiami Trail at 5 p.m. After both nights, it will close the following morning.

Those who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encourages to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind, emergency management officials said.

The agency also reminds residents that pets shouldn't be left outside during the cold weather.

Sarasota County Fire Department officials advise citizens to use caution when heating their home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices.