JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As a cold front sweeps through the First Coast, the City of Jacksonville has initiated its Warming Center Contingency plan, offering shelter for four consecutive nights to combat plunging temperatures.

Following an unusually warm Sunday, the mercury is set to dip sharply, reaching the 20s by Monday morning.

Starting Monday, the Legends Center will provide overnight shelter to those in need, with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) facilitating transportation whenever the temperature drops to 27 degrees or below.

Situated at 5130 Soutel Dr., the center will open its doors nightly from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. the following morning. JTA is set to offer transportation to the site, where staff will be on hand and water will be readily available.

Only service animals are permitted inside the shelter.

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.

In response to the cold front, the City of Waycross is halting all city-run utility cutoffs for the week and offering shelter inside the police department courtroom. 

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