Brooksville Warming Center Reopens Sunday Night Amid February Cold Snap

Hernando County Emergency Management, in partnership with the City of Brooksville, reopened the Brooksville Enrichment Center at 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd. Sunday night to provide an overnight warming center for residents during the February cold snap. County materials said the activation was made "in response to forecasted cold temperatures" and will offer shelter from overnight lows.

The center operated on an overnight schedule, opening at 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2026 and remaining open overnight through 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with nightly hours of 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Hernando County framed the site as a temporary response while cold conditions persist.

Hernando County Transit (TheBus) arranged limited transportation to the Enrichment Center. TheBus scheduled pickups at 8:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday from the Walmart at 7305 Broad St., Brooksville, with returns to the same Walmart at 8:00 a.m. the following mornings. County materials state that TheBus service "will not be available on Sunday, February 22, 2026" and note route constraints that service is not available before 4:47 p.m. on routes connecting to Walmart for the 8:00 p.m. trips and not available after 9:00 a.m. for return trips. Transit questions can be directed to TheBus at (352) 754-4444; Hernando County's main line is (352) 754-4000 and additional transit information is posted on the county transit page.

Officials and local notices described the Enrichment Center as a short-term refuge rather than a full shelter. Public notices characterized the site as "a short-term overnight refuge, not a full-service shelter" and made clear operational limits: "Pets are not accepted in the Warming Center." Local reporting indicates the center typically does not provide meals or cots, so residents should plan accordingly and inquire with county emergency management about available supplies.

The county also publicized cold-weather supplies distribution sites around Hernando County; one named distribution partner was People Helping People, which was listed among locations offering free gloves, hand warmers, socks and blankets. County officials said they will continue posting operational updates on county social channels and that the Sheriff's Office issued an initial notice about the activation on Facebook.

Regional forecast guidance warned of dangerous conditions for those exposed overnight: "The extreme cold expected could be dangerous to anyone who will be outside for long periods of time. Children, the elderly and pets are especially vulnerable to the cold, and extra care should be taken to protect them." The county previously used the Enrichment Center during a December activation that opened 8:00 p.m. December 30, 2025 through 8:00 a.m. December 31, 2025.

Hernando County officials said they will reassess shelter operations as the forecast evolves and will post further updates on county social channels and through the county communications line. For immediate questions about transit or pickup times call TheBus at (352) 754-4444 or Hernando County at (352) 754-4000.