The Sheltering Tree offers overnight refuge and transportation for those without heat
The Sheltering Tree cold weather shelter will open tonight and remain available through Wednesday night as overnight temperatures are expected to fall below 40 degrees, providing a cold start to the new year.
The shelter, located at the Rock Transformation Center at 2200 N. State Street (formerly Church on the Rock), serves not only individuals experiencing homelessness but also anyone who lacks heat in their home. The facility opens at 5 p.m. each evening and closes at 8 a.m. the following morning.
The National Weather Service has predicted temperatures will drop below 40 degrees during overnight hours from tonight through early Thursday morning. This forecast meets the criteria that triggers the opening of the cold weather shelter.
Flagler County will provide free bus transportation along two routes to help residents reach the shelter. On the east side of the county, pickups are scheduled at the Dollar General at Publix Town Center on Market Avenue at 3:30 p.m., McDonald’s at Old Kings Road South and State Road 100 at 4 p.m., Dollar Tree behind Carrabba’s at 4:30 p.m., and the Palm Coast Main Branch Library at 4:45 p.m.
On the west side of the county, the bus will stop at Dollar General at County Road 305 and Canal Avenue in Daytona North at 4 p.m., and both the Bunnell Free Clinic at 703 Moody Boulevard and Bridges United Methodist Church at 205 N. Pine Street in Bunnell at 4:30 p.m.
The Sheltering Tree operates under the Flagler County Family Assistance Center and functions as a non-denominational civic organization created to provide shelter during cold nights in Flagler County. Residents can contact the organization at 386-437-3258 for more information.
Flagler County Fire Rescue has also issued safety reminders for residents staying warm at home. Officials advise never using an oven to heat a home and ensuring all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Fireplaces should be screened to contain sparks, and portable space heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Residents should also turn off portable heaters when leaving a room or going to sleep.
