FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – With temperatures expected to drop this weekend, Broward County has declared a Cold Weather Emergency for Saturday and Sunday.
The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures to hit the mid-40's in Broward metro areas when including wind chill.
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The emergency declaration takes effect 6:30 p.m. Saturday through 9:00 a.m. Sunday, and from 6:30 p.m. Sunday through 9 a.m. Monday.
The homeless are being told to report to specific locations by 6:30 p.m. Saturday to be transported to special shelters.
Pompano Beach
Pompano Beach City Hall
100 W. Atlantic Blvd. (Southeast Corner)
(Pickup Location Only)
Fort Lauderdale
The Salvation Army
1445 West Broward Blvd.
(Shelter and Pickup Location)
Hollywood
Broward Outreach Center
2056 Scott St.
(Shelter and Pickup Location)
While Miami-Dade has yet to make an official weather advisory declaration, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue offered some tips to keep you and your family safe when the temperatures tip to lows usually not seen in South Florida:
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms monthly.