Cold Weather Alert

Shelters, county warming centers, churches open this week

Updated Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, 2 p.m. — Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the low- to mid-30s Monday through Thursday nights (Jan. 26-28) — and perhaps beyond — prompting the opening of warming centers and shelters across Central Florida. Orange and Osceola counties have confirmed their warming center plans for the week, barring a shift in the forecast. Seminole County officials have announced they anticipate operating a cold-weather shelter at the Rescue Outreach Mission in Sanford through Feb. 5.

Here is the most recent information by county:
    ORANGE

·         Barnett Park Recreation Center — open 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Wednesday nights; 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday night — 4801 West Colonial Dr., Orlando, 32808

·         Goldenrod Recreation Center — open 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Wednesday nights; 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday night — 4863 N. Goldenrod Rd., Winter Park, 32792

·         Coalition for the Homeless, 18 North Terry Ave., Orlando, 32801

·         Orlando Union Rescue Mission (men only), 3300 West Colonial Dr., Orlando, 32805

·         The Salvation Army Orlando (men only), 624 Lexington Ave., Orlando, 32801

·         The Salvation Army Orlando (women and children only), 400 West Colonial Dr., Orlando, 32804

·         Matthew’s Hope, 611 Business Park Blvd., Winter Garden, 34787

OSCEOLA

·         First United Methodist Church, St. Cloud — open 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights — 1000 Ohio Ave., St. Cloud, 34769

·         Iglesia Del Nazareno Casa de Vida — open 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights — 2367 Fortune Rd., Kissimmee, 34744

·         Poinciana Christian Church — open 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights — 3181 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee, 34746

SEMINOLE

·         Rescue Outreach Mission, 1701 Historic Goldsboro Blvd, Sanford, 32771

TRANSPORTATION

In Orange and Osceola counties, LYNX buses will offer free transportation along regular routes to people traveling to a warming center.

For residents located in suburban East Orange County, the Samaritan Resource Center will serve as a shuttle pick-up site, providing bus service to a warming center. LYNX bus pickups will occur each afternoon the warming centers are open at 4:30 p.m.

For residents located in rural East Orange County, Bithlo Community Park will serve as a transportation hub, providing bus service to the Goldenrod Recreation Center. LYNX bus pickups will occur each night the warming centers are open at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Shuttles will be available to transport overflow guests from the Coalition for the Homeless and the Salvation Army to Barnett Park’s warming center each night, running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as needed. Pick-ups will take place at the Coalition’s Parramore gate, 639 W. Central Blvd., Orlando, 32801, and the Salvation Army men’s shelter, 624 Lexington Ave., Orlando, 32801.

Shuttle buses will provide transportation from Barnett Park to the Christian Service Center the following mornings.

PETS & SERVICE ANIMALS

Secured pets are welcome on LYNX buses and at the Barnett Park and Goldenrod warming centers. Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and are responsible for bringing food and supplies.

Service animals may be brought to the church shelters in Osceola, where Animal Services will provide crates for sleeping.