VERO BEACH — The local Salvation Army will operate as a cold weather shelter Tuesday and Wednesday as wind chill values were expected to plunge into the upper 20s, according to emergency service officials and meteorologists.
The Salvation Army Vero Beach will open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting on Tuesday, Dec. 30, representatives from the Indian River County Emergency Services Department said. The social services nonprofit, part of the larger, global organization, will also open on Wednesday, Dec. 31, during the same time frame.
Those seeking shelter should arrive before 9 p.m. The local Salvation Army branch is located at 2655 5th St. S.W., north of Oslo Road.
The Salvation Army will provide a light dinner, snacks and breakfast for those who seek shelter. American Red Cross, a nonprofit, emergency response organization, gave The Salvation Army cots and blankets for those who arrive at the cold weather shelter.
The evenings of Tuesday and Wednesday were expected to have a temperature in the mid-30s, said Scott Kelly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne. Winds from the northwest will be 5-to-10 mph.
Tuesday night will have wind chill values, or ‘feels-like’ temps, in the upper 20s, weather officials point out. The wind chill values for Wednesday night will be in the lower 30s.
Meteorologists cautioned residents to stay safe during the cold burst.
Anyone using space heaters should keep the heaters away from flammable materials such as curtains and pillows. Space heaters should be plugged directly into the wall outlets and not extension cords.
Residents should bring any pets inside. They should also bring any vegetation inside or cover them.
