Jacksonville residents are bracing for a chill as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures to plunge tonight, creating a situation that feels more akin to the 20s, a severe drop that's led to both a Freeze Warning and a Cold Weather Advisory for Duval County, spanning from yesterday til this morning. In response to the imminent freeze, the City of Jacksonville's Emergency Preparedness Division has put into action its Warming Center Contingency Plan - it's a strategy set to deploy when the mercury drops to 27 degrees or below, and part of that plan involves opening the doors of the City of Jacksonville Warming Center overnight for those lacking sufficient heat.
As the cold settles in, the Warming Center, which has been open since yesterday, will remain open until 9 a.m. this morning at the Legends Center, located at 5130 Soutel Drive. For those needing assistance reaching this haven, JTA buses have been organized to transport vulnerable community members to the facility. The center will be staffed and equipped with water and space. Residents planning to stay at the warming shelter are advised to bring an air mattress, bedding, snacks, medication, and personal care items.
Alongside the emergency warming center, citizens can find respite from the freeze in all COJ Libraries and COJ Community Centers during regular business hours, these venues doubling as Warming Centers spread throughout Duval County, additional details can be secured through the city's official cold weather resource at: jaxready.com/StayWarmJax.
Not to be overlooked, the city's non-profit partners are extending a lifeline to the homeless population with area shelters raising their gates to welcome those in need, City Rescue Mission, Mission House's overnight operations at St. Paul's by the Sea Episcopal – Parish Hall, Sulzbacher Center, and Trinity Rescue Mission are amongst those who've announced they will be providing essential cold-weather services during this time; for instance, Sulzbacher Center has its doors open to men at 611 East Adams St. and to women and children at 5455 Springfield Blvd.
