Jacksonville city officials will open a warming center as an Arctic cold front brings expected frigid conditions. The National Weather Service forecasts wind chills in the 20s. The City of Jacksonville’s Emergency Preparedness Division is activating its Warming Center Contingency Plan to provide overnight shelter from the cold. The plan is triggered when temperatures reach 27 degrees or lower, a threshold expected to be met. The Legends Center at 5130 Soutel Drive will be open from today, at 9 p.m. until tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) will provide bus service to the center for those who need transportation.
The City of Jacksonville advises residents using the warming center to bring essential items, including air mattresses, blankets, snacks, medications, and personal care supplies. For daytime shelter from the cold, COJ libraries and community centers across Duval County will also be available.
Local nonprofits are also providing support to help protect the city’s unhoused population during the cold spell. Shelters offering cold-weather services include the City Rescue Mission, Sulzbacher Center, and Trinity Rescue Mission, with specific locations designated for men, women, and children. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department advises residents to follow safe heating practices at home, including keeping space heaters away from flammable materials, inspecting and cleaning fireplaces annually, and ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are properly installed.
The city’s safety guidance also warns against hazardous heating methods, such as using ovens for warmth or operating outdoor equipment indoors.
