Cold Weather Shelters Open in Escambia County Beginning Sunday, Dec. 14

With Escambia County expecting subfreezing temperatures beginning Sunday, Dec. 14, two cold weather shelters are opening their doors to provide relief from frigid temperatures.

A strong cold front will move across Escambia County beginning Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile. Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 19 degrees. Wind chill values are expected to drop to dangerous levels, with early-morning feel-like temperatures between 12 and 26 degrees on Monday, Dec. 15.

Through the county's cold weather sheltering plan, Waterfront Rescue Mission is the central receiving point for anyone in need of emergency shelter when the temperature drops to 40 degrees or less. Waterfront then coordinates with other partner agencies to ensure anyone needing cold weather shelter can be accommodated.

The following shelters will be open in Escambia County, as part of the county's cold weather sheltering plan:

• Waterfront Rescue Mission
  • Men and women
  • Open 24 hours beginning Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4:30 p.m. with expanded capacity and no charge during cold weather events
  • 348 W. Herman Ave., Pensacola
• My Father's Vineyard
  • Men and women (no children)
  • Intake is from 6-7 p.m. (must leave by 6:30 a.m., with ECAT providing free transportation to Waterfront starting at 6:30 a.m.)
  • Open Sunday, Dec. 14, through Monday evening, Dec. 15, with operations continuing if temperatures continue to be 32 degrees or below
  • 7895 Pensacola Blvd., Pensacola
    

Escambia County Emergency Management works with these community partners to coordinate cold weather sheltering for individuals in need, providing shelter for hundreds of people since the cold weather sheltering plan was established in 2023.

Additionally, Escambia County Area Transit will provide free transportation between My Father's Vineyard and Waterfront Rescue Mission, which allows those seeking shelter to easily travel between the overnight shelter at the church and the designated warming center at Waterfront Rescue. ECAT will also provide transportation from Waterfront Rescue Mission for men and women seeking shelter at My Father's Vineyard, beginning Sunday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.

"With the bitter cold setting in starting Sunday, please spread the word that shelter is available for our most vulnerable," Escambia County Emergency Manager Travis Tompkins said. "I can't thank Waterfront Rescue Mission enough for their consistent leadership in cold weather sheltering, and thank you to My Father's Vineyard for stepping up again to care for those in need."

Remember the five P's of cold weather preparedness:

• Protect People: Remember to dress in layers and wear a hat and gloves. It is important to try to stay out of the wind and to stay dry. Also, remember to check on young children, elderly family members and neighbors who are the most sensitive to cold weather. If the temperature cannot be maintained at home, make temporary arrangements to stay elsewhere, including with friends and family.
• Protect Pets: If cold weather is in the forecast, bring outdoor pets inside or give them a warm shelter.
• Protect Plants: Cover cold-sensitive plants to protect them from dangerous temperatures.
• Protect Pipes: Cover pipes and allow outdoor faucets to slowly drip to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
• Practice Fire Safety: Use safe heating sources indoors. Do not use fuel-burning devices such as grills; they release carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Also, use space heaters according to their instructions and be attentive to open flames.

Escambia County shares information about cold weather shelter openings on the MyEscambia.com website and county social media channels including the Escambia County Emergency Management Facebook page. To sign up to receive email alerts from Escambia County, visit MyEscambia.com and click the "subscribe" icon.

For cold weather safety tips, visit the Escambia County website.

An ECAT bus transports individuals to shelter during extreme cold weather last year.