LABELLE -- Hendry County Emergency Management has issued a Cold Weather Alert, warning of colder than normal temperatures early morning Dec. 24 and 25. While area shelters are closed, it is considering opening them depending on weather conditions. 

Cold weather warming shelters at United Way in LaBelle and Janet B. Taylor Auditorium in Clewiston, are closed, as are primary and secondary shelters including LaBelle Middle School, Clewiston HIgh School, Pioneer Community Center, Country Oaks Elementary School, LaBelle High School and special needs shelter at LJ Nobles Senior Center in LaBelle. 

For updates on shelter status, check the Hendry County Emergency Management website at  https://www.hendryfla.net/emergency_management.php.  Residents can also register to receive alerts at Prepare Hendry Alerts at https://member.everbridge.net/892807736724664/login. The Emergency Alert Program will alert you when emergencies and other important community news happens. By signing up for the program, the county will be able to provide residents with vital information regarding severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods in a timely manner wherever one specifies such as one's home, business or mobile phones, email addresses, text messages and more.

Emergency Management recommends residents establish a personal support network for help during an emergency system, posting emergency instructions for your family on the refrigerator and to visit FloridaDisaster.org for more planning information.