FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – The Sheltering Tree will open its cold-weather shelter on Friday and Saturday nights at the Rock Transformation Center (formerly Church on the Rock) in Flagler County not only for those who are experiencing homelessness but for anyone who is without heat.
The National Weather Service is predicting temperatures in the high 30s during the overnight hours on Dec. 29 and 30. The criteria for opening the cold-weather shelter is based on overnight temperatures that drop below 40 degrees.
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“The shelter may open again on New Year’s Eve, depending on the temperatures that are currently forecast to be 42 degrees. If the National Weather Service changes its forecast, we will adapt as well,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “We urge those who lack adequate housing or adequate heat for their residences to come to the cold-weather shelter. The Sheltering Tree and the Rock Transformation Center will provide cots and meals. Flagler County will be providing transportation to the shelter for those who need it.”
The county will provide bus transportation along two routes, following the schedules below:
East side of the county
- Dollar General at Publix Town Center on Market Avenue (leads to Dollar General), 3:30 p.m.
- McDonald’s at Old Kings Road South and State Road 100 at the dirt road on the east side, 4 p.m.
- Dollar Tree behind Carrabba’s in the Dollar Tree Parking lot, 4:30 p.m.
- Palm Coast Main Branch Library, northwest corner of Palm Coast Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway, 4:45 p.m.
West side of the county
- Dollar General at County Road 305 and Canal Avenue in Daytona North, 4 p.m.
- Bunnell Free Clinic, 703 Moody Boulevard, 4:30 p.m.
- First United Methodist Church in Bunnell, 205 N. Pine Street, 4:30 p.m. (listed as the same pick-up time because of the close proximity)
The Rock Transformation Center is at 2200 N. State Street in Bunnell. 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.
Weather and heat safety preparedness tips from Flagler County Emergency Management and Fire Rescue include:
- Subscribe to Alert Flagler www.FlaglerCounty.gov/AlertFlagler
- Never use the oven to heat the home
- All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
- Screen fireplaces to contain sparks
- Portable space heaters should be kept 3-feet away from anything that can burn
- Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed
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