Brrr. Weather Service Issues Wind Chill Advisory For Tuesday

TAMPA BAY, FL — With temperatures expected to dip as low as 25 degrees in Tampa Bay Tuesday night, the National Weather Service Tampa Bay has issued a wind chill advisory.

According to the NWS, a dry and very cold northernly flow will result in low wind chill values.

The advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The cold wind chills could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Children, the elderly and pets are especially vulnerable to the cold and extra care should be taken to protect them.

With that in mind, Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties are all opening shelters Tuesday night.

Pasco County

Pasco County is coordinating with The United Way and faith-based organizations to ensure shelter for anyone who needs a warm place to spend the night. All individuals seeking shelter are asked to call the United Way at 2-1-1. They can also call Joining Hands Mission at 727-215-8084 or the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills at 813-810-8670.

The West Pasco shelter opens at 6 p.m. Tuesday and closes at 7 a.m. Wednesday. The East Pasco shelter opens at 8 p.m. Tuesday and will closes at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Hillsborough County

In Hillsborough County, people, including pet owners, who are stranded in the cold or live in a home without adequate heat and need transportation to a cold weather shelter should call the Hillsborough County Sunshine Line to arrange a ride at 813-272-7272.

Shelters are located at:

• Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St. in Tampa. 813-347-8333
• Amazing Love Ministries, 3304 E. Columbus Drive in Tampa.
• Tampa Bay Mission of Hope, 6321 U.S. 301 S. in Riverview. 813-716-3996
• Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Town 'N Country. Opens at 6 p.m. for adults and their pets. 813-554-5004
• Wimauma Senior Center, 5714 North St. in Wimauma. 813-671-7672
• Metropolitan Ministries, 2106 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. This location is where families go for motel vouchers before 5 p.m. After-hours phone 813-209-1077

A limited quantity of pet supplies will be available at the pet-friendly shelter. All pets must be leashed, and pet owners are strongly encouraged to bring their own crates, food, blankets and any medication for their pets.

Pinellas County

The Homeless Leadership Board and United Methodist Cooperative Ministries/Suncoast, Inc. have opened shelters and will accept guests all night long. The shelters will close at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Shelter guests will be provided a hot evening meal, a warm safe place to spend the night and breakfast the following morning. Guests will be advised if the shelter will be open on additional nights as conditions warrant.

The following cold weather shelters are available to adult men and women:

• Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church, 110 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., Clearwater, 727-446-3001
• Northwest Presbyterian Church, 6330 54th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-544-4551
• The Turning Point, 1810 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-823-7811
• Salvation Army, 1400 4th Street S., St. Petersburg, 727-822-4954
• Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 5th St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-822-3307
• Boy and Girls Club of the Suncoast in Pinellas Park, 7709 61st St. N., Pinellas Park, 727-547-543
• Boys and Girls Club of Tarpon Springs, 111 W. Lime St., Tarpon Springs, 727-937-6837

Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights. Families should call 211, Tampa Bay Cares Inc., for information about family shelters.

All cold weather shelters are also accepting donations, such as hats, gloves, scarves, socks, disinfectant wipes and spray, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, disposable cups, coffee, creamer, paper plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, sugar, bottled water and breakfast/protein bars.