Update: Cold Weather Shelters Open Again Tonight (Jan. 4)

Update, Jan. 4:

Hillsborough County's cold weather shelters will again be open Wednesday night, Jan. 4, for the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat. Tampa Bay area teamperates are again expected to dip into the 30s.

(Releated Coverage: )

From Jan. 3:

If you thought Tuesday morning was cold around the Tampa Bay area, brace yourself.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory and a hard freeze warning for Hillsborough County and all of west central Florida as temperatures are expected to dip below 30 degrees on Tuesday night.

The hard freeze warning will be in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to cover sensitive plants or bring them inside to protect them from the cold and frost.

The chilly weather isn't expected to last long, however — the weather service's forecast shows temperatures gradually rising later this week, with highs reaching back up to the low 70s by the weekend.

Hillsborough County's cold weather shelters will be open Tuesday and Wednesday for the homeless and for those who live in homes without adequate heat. They are:

• , 510 E. Sadie St. in Brandon
  This shelter opens at 5:30 p.m. and is for homeless individuals and families with children in the Brandon area.
  Phone: 813-635-8179

• Metropolitan Ministries, 2010 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
  This shelter opens at 4 p.m. and is for families.
  Phone: 813-209-1077 

• Salvation Army, 1514 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa
  This shelter opens at 4 p.m. and is only for adults.
  Phone: 813-221-4440

• Wimauma Community Center, 5705 Hillsborough St. in Wimauma
  This shelter opens at 6 p.m. and is for adults and families.
  Phone: 813-635-3500

Turn Off Your Pumps

Residents who live near the Greater Brandon communities of Plant City and Dover who have well pumps without automatic cutoff switches are advised to turn off the pumps Tuesday night, the Southwest Florida Water Management District said.

During a freeze or near-freezing temperatures, water is pumped to protect crops and fish farms, causing aquifer levels to temporarily drop, SFWMD said. Once aquifer levels fall below a well’s pump level, the pump can burn out if it is not shut off manually or automatically by a low-pressure shut-off device. An electrical switch located on or near the well can turn off most pumps.

Residents should wait until the temperatures warm up and water levels begin to recover before turning their pumps back on.