Hillsborough Gears Up for Cold Weather

The cold front that has moved through the Tampa Bay area bringing rain is now expected to give the Temple Terrace area the chills.

The National Weather Service is calling for temperatures to dip into the mid- to upper-30s, overnight Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16-17.

With that in mind, Hillsborough County has announced it will open its cold weather shelters both afternoons. Shelters are available for use by those without homes and those who live in homes that don’t offer adequate heat, according to a county media release.

Sunday, Feb. 17, will mark the fifth time the county’s cold weather shelters have opened this winter.

Shelter Locations and Hours

Brandon Community Center, 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon

This shelter opens at 5:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and is available to help homeless individuals and families with children in the Brandon Area. For more information, call 813-635-8179.

Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa

This shelter opens at 4 p.m. both days and is for families. For more information, call 813-209-1077.

Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa

This shelter opens at 4 p.m. both days and is for adults only. For more information, call 813-221-4440.

Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road, Town 'N Country

This shelter opens at 6:30 p.m. both days and welcomes both families and adults. Call 813-554-5064 for more information.

Wimauma Community Center, 5705 Hillsborough St. in Wimauma
This shelter opens at 6 p.m. both nights for families and single adults both. Call 813-635-3500 to find out more.

Most of the county’s shelters close at 7 a.m. the following morning.

How You Can Help

Residents who don’t need assistance to weather the cold can help those who do by making donations to the county’s shelters.

“The Brandon Community Center, Jackson Springs Recreation Center and Wimauma Community Center are accepting donations of shelter supplies, such as blankets, disinfectant wipes, disposable cups, coffee, creamer, paper plates, plastic utensils, and sugar,” the release states.

Contact the shelters directly for information.

Metropolitan Ministries provides meals for the shelters. Donations of non-perishable items are also being accepted. Just call 813-209-1000 to find out how to help.

Want to find out just how chilly it should get in the Temple Terrace area? Visit the National Weather Service online.