JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you thought Florida was getting a free pass on winter this year, think again.
There has been a lot of talk on social media about how Florida decided to skip winter. But this week, we found out we weren’t denied, just delayed.
Of course, when temperatures drop, you want to make sure you are taking care of your home, yourself and your loved ones.
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JEA’s spokesperson said the two main priorities are protecting your home and managing your energy.
JEA suggested managing heat wisely—keep the thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, adjust it gradually, and use space heaters safely in rooms that are actually being used to avoid higher energy bills.
Lows in the 20s and 30s are expected all the way through the weekend.
To protect Northeast Florida citizens from the frigid temperatures, several areas are opening warming centers or cold weather shelters for anyone in need.
Warming centers
Duval County
The City of Jacksonville has activated its Warming Center Contingency Plan.
When temperatures reach 27 degrees or lower, the city will open an overnight warming center from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. nightly:
- When: 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, through Friday, Jan. 30, 2026
- Where: The Legends Center, 5130 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32208
JTA buses will transport vulnerable residents free of charge to and from the Legends Center from stops throughout Duval County. The warming center will be staffed and water will be available on site.
Residents using the warming center are asked to bring bedding such as air mattresses, blankets and pillows; snacks and medication; games, toys and books; and hygiene and comfort items. Only service animals are permitted.
During normal business hours, city libraries and community centers across Duval County will serve as warming centers. For more information, visit jaxready.com/StayWarmJax or call 904‑630‑CITY.
Nonprofit shelters also are providing cold‑weather services to people experiencing homelessness. Facilities include:
- City Rescue Mission, 234 W. State Street
- Sulzbacher Center, 611 E. Adams St. (men) and 5455 Springfield Blvd. (women and children)
- Trinity Rescue Mission, 622 W. Union St.
St. Johns County
St. Johns County is urging residents to take precautions and look out for vulnerable individuals as a Freeze Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Northeast Florida beginning at 1 a.m. Jan. 27.
In response to the freezing weather, a cold weather shelter — the First United Methodist Church of St. Augustine, located at 118 King St. in downtown St. Augustine — will open at 8:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, to provide a safe, warm place for those in need, through the services of the St. Johns County Continuum of Care.
Individuals seeking shelter are encouraged to arrive early, and the public is asked to share this information throughout the community.
St. Johns County reminds residents to take additional cold-weather safety measures, including checking on elderly neighbors, bringing pets indoors, and using space heaters safely.
Overnight temperatures are expected to remain in the 30s throughout the coming week.
The public is encouraged to monitor the St. Johns County Continuum of Care Facebook for updates regarding additional cold weather shelter openings. For the most up-to-date information, residents may also call the cold weather shelter hotline at 904-819-4344.
Flagler County
The Sheltering Tree will open Monday, Jan. 26, through Thursday night – at least – as overnight temperatures will be in the low- to mid-30s for the next four nights. The shelter, operated at the Rock Transformation Center, is not only for those experiencing homelessness, but for anyone who is without heat.
The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures to fall below 40 degrees during the overnight hours Monday through Thursday, which is the criteria for opening the cold-weather shelter.
The county will provide bus transportation per the schedule below:
Single-bus schedule
- 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 Rock Transformation Center is located at 2200 N. State St. The cold-weather shelter will open at 5 p.m. and will close at 8 a.m. the following day.
The Sheltering Tree, 386-437-3258, is under the umbrella of the Flagler County Family Assistance Center and is a non-denominational civic organization that was created to provide cold-weather sheltering during cold nights in Flagler County.
Gainesville
City of Gainesville officials anticipate severe weather conditions, including temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, during the evening hours of Monday, Jan. 26, to Saturday, Jan. 31.
The anticipated temperatures will lead to the activation of the city’s Cold Night Shelter (CNS) Program, and it is expected to remain in effect until overnight low temperatures rise above 45 F.
The CNS program normally runs from Nov. 1 through March 31.
St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 F.
The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay.
St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults.
Please note, the dates have been extended through Saturday, Jan. 31.
Protect the 5 Ps
Emergency Preparedness officials urged residents to follow the city’s five P’s of cold‑weather safety: people, pets, plants, pipes and practice fire safety.
- People: Check on elderly neighbors and family members. Make sure children waiting at early morning bus stops are dressed in layers with hats and gloves. Limit time outdoors during the coldest hours.
- Pets: Bring pets indoors during freezing weather. Provide shelter, food and unfrozen water for outdoor animals.
- Plants: Cover or bring sensitive plants indoors to protect them from frost.
- Pipes: Insulate exposed pipes. Allow faucets to drip slightly to prevent freezing and open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate.
- Practice fire safety: Use supplemental heating safely and follow fire‑prevention measures.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department safety tips include:
- Use space heaters with caution: keep them at least 3 feet from anything that can burn, plug them directly into outlets, never use extension cords or power strips, and turn them off when leaving a room or going to sleep. Never leave space heaters unattended.
- Fireplace safety: Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually. Don’t overload fireplaces, use screens or glass doors to prevent sparks, and never leave fires unattended. Make sure fires are fully extinguished before going to bed.
- Additional tips: Never use ovens or appliances not designed for heating to warm your home. Install working smoke alarms on every floor and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. Never use outdoor appliances such as grills or generators indoors.