JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shelters are opening ahead of severe weather that’s expected to reach the Jacksonville area Thursday night.

On Thursday afternoon, the City Rescue Mission opened a severe weather shelter in downtown Jacksonville for those in need. Check-in at the New Life Inn campus at 234 West State St. began at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. In addition to safe shelter, the City Rescue Mission will be offering meals.

Sulzbacher said it is also prepared to provide emergency shelter Thursday evening for those who are homeless. In addition to housing more than 400 people at both the Downtown Campus and Sulzbacher Village, the agency will open up temporary sleeping areas in dining rooms and library areas and providing sleeping palettes and blankets for people in need of shelter during the storm. Breakfast will be provided the following morning. Women and families seeking shelter may go to Sulzbacher Village at 5455 Springfield Blvd., and men may go to Sulzbacher’s Downtown Campus at 611 East Adams St.

WEATHER AUTHORITY ALERT DAY: Potentially severe storms march toward First Coast

In Alachua County, the anticipated severe weather Thursday and low temperatures Friday through Saturday will lead to the activation of the City of Gainesville’s Severe Weather and Cold Night Shelter Program. St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace at the Empowerment Center will provide Cold Night Shelter services to people in need of shelter as long as overnight temperatures remain below 45 degrees.

The CNS program providers serve additional persons in need of shelter so that families and individuals desiring shelter will have a warm place to stay. St. Francis House provides temporary shelter that is appropriate for families, women and children. GRACE Marketplace primarily serves individual adults. In addition to an indoor place to spend the night, other services -- including food, showers, laundry, case management and more -- are available at St. Francis House and GRACE Marketplace.