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Shelters Open As Cold Air Blows Through Area

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Tribune Staff Report

Published: January 1, 2008

The National Weather Service says temperatures could fall below freezing over most of the Tampa Bay area for six hours or longer overnight Wednesday.

Here are some tips to get ready for temperatures that could be close to record lows

Bring all pets indoors

Keep pool pumps running to prevent the pipes from freezing.

If your house has exposed water pipes, keep a slow trickle running from an indoor faucet

Bring cold-sensitive plants inside if possible. Plants in pots are more vulnerable to cold than those in the ground.

If you can't bring the plants inside, cover them with sheets or blankets. The protection should cover the plant and reach to the ground to trap the earth's heat. Unlike most cold nights in Florida, tonight is expected to be breezy, so use something to keep the covering from blowing off the plant.

Don't try to use your sprinklers to protect the plants the way strawberry growers do. Your household irrigation system cannot produce the volume of water necessary and the breeze will make it difficult to adequately cover the plants.

Use caution with space heaters. Keep the heater at least 3 feet from anything flammable and never leave one running when you are out of the room.

Also, don't use gas or charcoal grills indoors as a source of heat.

Freeze shelters will open tonight and Wednesday for the homeless and people who live in homes without adequate heat.

The shelters are:

* Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. This shelter is for adults only.

* Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N. Florida Ave., Tampa This shelter is for families.

* Good Samaritan Mission (South County) at Bethune Park, 5809 Edina St., in Wimauma. This shelter is for adults and families.

The Salvation Army and Metropolitan Ministries locations will open after 4 p.m. The Bethune Park location will open at 6 p.m. They will stay open until 8 a.m. and meals will be provided.

Hillsborough County's Health & Social Services Department works with these organizations to help provide freeze shelters when temperatures reach below 32 degrees, including the wind chill factor.

For information, call 234-1234.

In Pasco County, the Holy Ground Homeless Shelter has space available for tonight. It's located at 8835 Denton Ave., Hudson, the northeast corner of U.S. 19 and Denton. For transportation, call Holy Ground at (727) 863-9123.

The shelter needs kerosene, electric heaters, blankets, cots and food. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter or call to arrange for pickup.

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