Comprehensive Guide: Warming Centers Open Across First Coast as Coldest Front in a Decade Hits

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With the First Coast experiencing its most severe cold front in ten years, various shelters, agencies, and organizations are stepping up this weekend to provide safe havens from the bitter temperatures and perilous wind chills.

Here is a comprehensive list of known warming shelters across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, along with their operating schedules. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

The City of Jacksonville is activating its Warming Center Contingency plan until Monday, Feb. 2.

The city will open the Legends Center overnight for people in need of shelter whenever temperatures hit 27 degrees or lower.

The center, located at 5130 Soutel Dr., will be open nightly from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. However, on Sunday, Feb. 1, the center will remain open until noon.

JTA buses will provide free rides to the shelter, which will be staffed and have water available on-site.

Only service animals will be allowed in the center.

Residents using the warming center are asked to bring the following items, if desired:

• Air mattress, blankets, pillows, or other bedding
• Snacks and medication
• Games, toys, and books
• Hygiene and comfort items

All libraries and city community centers will also serve as daytime warming centers during regular business hours.

Outside of the Legends Center, the city’s nonprofit partners will provide cold-weather shelter services to those experiencing homelessness:

• City Rescue Mission, 234 W. State St.
• Mission House, 465 11th Ave., with overnight operations at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal, 1150 5th St.
• Sulzbacher Center
  • 611 East Adams St. – Men
  • 5455 Springfield Blvd. – Women and children
• Trinity Rescue Mission, 622 W. Union St.

St. Johns County has announced that Grace United Methodist Church, located at 8 Carrera St., will open its doors Saturday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. for shelter.

On cold nights, people in St. Johns County can call the cold night shelter hotline at (904) 819-4344 for the most up-to-date information.

A shelter will be hosted inside the auditorium at the MLK Jr. Recreational Center on Elm Street through Sunday, Feb. 1.

The shelter is offered through a partnership between the Coalition for the Homeless in Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach any time the weather is predicted to drop below 40 degrees.

It will be open each night from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning.

A cold night shelter opened at the Callahan Methodist Church (449648 US-301) on Monday at 8 p.m., and closed at 8 a.m. the following morning.

When open, guests need to arrive before 10 p.m., when the church closes its doors for safety.

No weapons, drugs or smoking are allowed on the property.

The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office lobby, located at 945-B North Temple Ave. in Starke will open as a warming center for the weekend to provide those in need with relief from the cold during overnight hours.

The center will open at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 and close at 8 a.m. Sunday. It will reopen at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 and close at 8 a.m. Monday.

Chairs and bathrooms will be available, but no additional services will be provided.

“The Bradford County Sheriff’s Office is extremely grateful to everyone who has reached out about how to help,” Sheriff Gordon Smith said in a Facebook post. “However, at this time, we are unable to take in any additional donations, items, or food, but are thankful for the generosity of our community. If you’re interested in helping us in the future, please reach out to the Emergency Management Division during normal business hours to discuss.”

Note: Warming centers are evaluated on a daily basis based on forecasted temperatures. Continue to monitor Sheriff Smith’s and the Emergency Management Division’s Facebook pages for updates on additional openings.

The City of Palatka is opening a cold weather shelter at Robert H. Jenkins Northside Community and Recreation Center (1900 Napoleon St.). 

The shelter opens Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. and closes Sunday, Feb. 1 at 7 a.m.

Please note no pets are permitted at the shelter, so individuals are encouraged to make alternate arrangements for their animals prior to arrival.

Officials will continue to monitor weather conditions, and daily updates will be posted as conditions are evaluated.

For additional information, residents may contact Community Affairs Director Eddie Cutwright at (386) 983-1254 or Community Affairs Assistant Jessica Cruz at (386) 213-0948.

Parkview Baptist Church (268 NW Lake Jeffery Rd.) in Lake City is opening its doors Saturday night to help those escape the cold.

Check-in is at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

The Sheltering Tree will be open Saturday through Monday, Feb. 2.

The shelter is operated at the Rock Transformation Center (2200 N. State St.) and opens each night at 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. the following day. It is open to anyone without heat or housing.

Bus transportation to the shelter will be provided by the county:

• McDonald’s at Old Kings Road South and State Road 100 at the dirt road on the east side, 4 p.m.
• Circle K at Kingswood and Old Kings Road, 4:40 p.m.
• Dollar Tree behind Carrabba’s in the Dollar Tree Parking lot, 4:50 p.m.
• Palm Coast Main Branch Library, northwest corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway, 4:55 p.m.
• Bunnell Free Clinic, 703 Moody Boulevard, 5 p.m.
• Bridges United Methodist Church in Bunnell, 205 N. Pine Street, 5 p.m. (listed as the same pick-up time because of the close proximity)

The Camden County Recreation Center (1050 Wildcat Dr., Kingsland, Ga.) will serve as a warming center through Tuesday, Feb. 3.

It will operate nightly from 8:30 p.m. to 9 a.m., but will stay open until 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1 due to freezing conditions.

Emergency management officials say the center is open for life‑safety only and is not a shelter.

For updates, people in need are asked to call 912-729-5602 or check the Camden County Emergency Management Agency’s Facebook page.

The Brunswick Fire Department announced Saturday, Jan. 31 that The Well, located at 1101 Gloucester St., will be opening up at nighttime.

The Waycross Police Department courtroom will open Saturday night, Jan. 31, for anyone needing shelter from the frigid temperatures, said City Manager Ulysses Rayford, who added that only eight cots are available.

“We are also aware that some local churches may be opening their doors to provide additional shelter; however, at this time, the City does not have confirmed locations or details,” Rayford said.

Rayford advises any residents without power to contact their service provider quickly and directly.