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Escambia County opens cold-weather shelters as advisory warns subfreezing wind chills
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Summary
Escambia County emergency staff announced temporary shelters and free transit between sites during a cold weather advisory that could produce wind chills of 15 to 20 degrees; intake times, eligibility and operating dates were specified.
Escambia County emergency staff announced that temporary cold-weather shelters are open tonight and will remain available through Wednesday, Jan. 8, while a cold weather advisory is in effect and wind-chill values are expected to drop to 15–20 degrees.
A staff member representing Escambia County Emergency Management said Waterfront Rescue Mission is accepting men and women with expanded capacity, REAP Maxwell Center is accepting women with children and My Father's Vineyard is available as a separate shelter for men and women (no children). Intake procedures and hours vary by site.
The county said intake at Waterfront Rescue Mission runs from 4 to 6 p.m., and REAP Maxwell Center accepts intake from 6 to 7 p.m. Guests at REAP who need morning transport can board free ECAT service to Waterfront beginning at 7 a.m. The county said that shelter operations will continue beyond Jan. 8 if temperatures remain at or below 32 degrees.
Officials also reminded residents of cold-weather safety precautions, including the risk of hypothermia and basic protections for people, pets, plants and pipes. The county urged those in need to use the available services and thanked partner agencies for coordinating shelter and transportation.
Details provided in the announcement are drawn from the county's cold weather sheltering plan and the advisory guidance; specific staffing, capacity numbers and funding sources were not specified in the announcement.
