Shelters are opening across Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, and Manatee counties as a cold snap hits Southwest Florida. If you need a warm place to stay, local officials have set up shelters and warming centers. Check what’s available near you at https://www.floridadisaster.org/Counties.
On top of the cold, a big blizzard up north, this one’s called Hernando, is causing chaos at airports statewide. Hundreds of flights were canceled, including at least 55 at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) by Sunday night. Most of those flights were headed for New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Newark, and other New England spots. Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Sarasota airports are dealing with dozens more cancellations, too. If you’ve got a flight this week, double-check with your airline before heading out.
Here’s what Lee County is doing to help people stay safe and warm:
Lee County Government is working with its partners to help folks out during this cold stretch. Whenever the temperature drops below 40 degrees (with or without windchill), the county gears up outreach, shelter, and warming options for people who need them.
Here’s the breakdown:
Monday, Feb. 23 through Tuesday, Feb. 24: The Salvation Army is opening its doors at the Center of Hope (2400 Edison Ave., Fort Myers) with single beds available on a first-come, first-served basis. The shelter stays open through Wednesday morning, Feb. 25. Get there before 7 p.m. for intake. They’ll keep taking people as long as there’s space. For questions, call The Salvation Army at 239-334-3745.
Major Ethan Frizell, who runs things at The Salvation Army in Fort Myers, put it plainly: “We’re working with the county and our partners to make sure anyone who needs warmth and shelter has it. If you need a place, come on in and stay.”
Tuesday, Feb. 24 and Wednesday, Feb. 25: LeeTran buses will serve as warming spots at these locations from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.:
– South Fort Myers Transfer Station (13182 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers)
– Lehigh Acres Park & Ride (1121 Village Lakes Blvd., Lehigh Acres)
– Cape Coral Transfer Station (820 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral)
Monday, Feb. 23 and Tuesday, Feb. 24: The HOT teams—Housing, Outreach, and Treatment—are out connecting with people experiencing homelessness, offering resources and handing out jackets, socks, blankets, and hand warmers.
Tuesday, Feb. 24: Warming stations are open at several United Way Resiliency Hubs and community centers around the county, including:
– Dunbar United Way Resiliency Hub at Community Cooperative (7 a.m. – 5 p.m., 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers)
– Harlem Heights United Way Resiliency Hub at The Heights Center (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., 15570 Hagie Drive, Fort Myers)
– Sanibel United Way Resiliency Hub at F.I.S.H of Sanibel-Captiva (8 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2422 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel)
– Bonita Springs United Way Resiliency Hub at Literacy Council Gulf Coast (8 a.m. – 10 a.m., 26820 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs)
– Pine Manor United Way Resiliency Hub – Pine Manor Improvement Association (8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., 5547 10th Ave., Fort Myers)
– Tice United Way Resiliency Hub at Goodwill Industries (9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5100 Tice St., Fort Myers)
– West Cape Coral United Way Resiliency Hub at Goodwill Industries (9 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1499 SW. Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral)
– Cape Coral Caring Center (9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1420 SE. 47th Street, Cape Coral)
– Pine Island United Way Resiliency Hub at Beacon of Hope (9 a.m. – 4 p.m., 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City)
– Charleston Park United Way Resiliency Hub – Goodwill Industries (9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 2541 Charleston Park Drive, Alva)
– Fort Myers Regional Library (9 a.m. – 8 p.m., 2450 First St., Fort Myers)
– North Fort Myers Library/Parks and Recreation (12 p.m. – 6 p.m., 2001 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers)
If you need help, don’t wait. Reach out or stop by one of these locations. Stay safe and warm out there.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness in Lee County, there’s a free tool that can help: the Human & Veteran Services’ Reach app. Just download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play, sign up for push alerts, and you’ll get real-time updates right to your phone.
Need to talk to someone directly? Call the coordinated entry line at 239-533-7996, or head to www.leegov.com/dhs.
Lee County’s Emergency Management team is keeping a close eye on the cold snap. They recommend checking updates from the National Weather Service. You can also stay in the loop with county news by signing up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters or by following their social media channels at www.leegov.com/socialmedia.
Charlotte County
In Charlotte County, the Charlotte CARE Center (previously the Homeless Coalition) at 1476 Kenesaw St. in Port Charlotte will open as a cold weather shelter from Sunday, Feb. 22, through Tuesday, Feb. 24. If you need shelter, you’ll need to pre-register—just call 941-627-4313 and be there by 8 p.m. For shelter questions, use the same number.
Sarasota County officials have teamed up with local partners to offer cold weather shelter on Monday night, Feb. 23, as temperatures drop. The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope at 1400 10th St., Sarasota, will serve dinner from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Guests need to leave campus after dinner but can return at 7 p.m. for shelter. Check-in ends at 8:30 p.m., and you’ll need a valid ID. Showers are open from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and breakfast will be handed out to-go in the morning. Everyone must leave campus by 6 a.m.
Getting there is simple—Breeze bus routes 2, 7, 8, or 99 will drop you within two blocks of the Salvation Army on 10th Street.
If you’re in North Port, The 100 Church at 14525 Tamiami Trail is also opening its doors on Feb. 23. Bring your own sleeping supplies. Breeze Route 9 stops about a block away, and you can use the Breeze OnDemand service if you’re in the North Port area. For bus info, check www.scgov.net/breeze or use the Breeze Rider app for real-time arrivals and route planning.
A few reminders from emergency officials: Don’t leave pets outside in the cold. If you do have to be outdoors overnight or early in the morning, wear several warm layers and cover up to avoid wind exposure. The Fire Department also urges caution with space heaters and other heating devices—improper use raises the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. You’ll find more heating safety tips online.
Manatee County is also opening cold weather shelters on Monday, Feb. 23, and Tuesday, Feb. 24, with help from local organizations. The Salvation Army at 1204 14th St. W., Bradenton, will welcome guests starting at 6 p.m. each night. Under One Roof at 407 57th Ave. E., Bradenton, will open early at 2:45 p.m. for women who need shelter.
Need a ride? Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) offers transportation to both shelters, leaving Turning Points (701 17th Ave. W., Bradenton) at 2:30 p.m. Turning Points will also be open for warmth and coffee during the cold.
Please help share this info with anyone who might need a warm, safe place. For updates on shelters and cold weather tips, go to mymanatee.org/cold. For general county info, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow @ManateeGov on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
