Homeless advocates warn weather makes it risky to sleep on streets
Miami, Florida – People who are sleeping in cars or the streets are warned that when the temperature plummets overnight on Saturday and Sunday it won’t be safe to do so in South Florida.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust are prepared to shelter hundreds. They are focused on making sure the homeless community was aware of the risks.
“The streets in this kind of weather condition is really sentencing somebody,” Ron Book said.
As tourists who traveled away from home in other parts of the country were expecting warm temperatures, they are likely to be unprepared that are getting snow. They will also be at risk.
According to the Salvation Army’s Maj. Stephen Long, the Broward County nonprofit organization had several cots ready for those in need.
“If they have no place to go; they can come here,” Long said.
There is a freeze watch in effect in Miami-Dade and Broward counties from late Saturday night to Sunday morning. There is also a wind chill watch in effect in Broward where dangerously cold wind chills could result in hypothermia or frostbite.
Authorities warned people who are using heaters to avoid using an extension cord or surge protector and plug it directly into an outlet and keep these on the floor and away from furniture or water. They were also asking people to avoid using a stove to warm up a room and to bring pets inside.
