Sarasota County Emergency Management officials, in collaboration with community partners, are opening a cold weather shelter at The 100 Church in North Port for those in need due to the forecast drop in temperatures tonight, Dec. 2, and tomorrow, Dec. 3.

The 100 Church, located at 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port, will be available for cold weather sheltering beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, and again at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Those attending should bring their own sleeping materials.

Breeze Route 9 is operating on a normal schedule and serves stops on Tamiami Trail at Espanola Avenue and Almonte Terrace, a 0.1-mile walk to the 100 Church.  Click here for more information on Breeze services.  The Breeze Rider app can also be used to check bus arrival times and plan routes.

Sarasota County Emergency Management officials also remind residents that pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. People who who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind.

Finally, Sarasota County Fire Department officials advise using extreme caution when heating your home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices, including space heaters and portable fireplaces. More heating safety tips can be found here.