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If You Go: Important Shelter Information

Any emergency plan should include a list of area and regional shelters and directions on how to get there. By choosing several destinations in different directions, you will have options should the emergency situation encompass a large geographical area.

In Florida, there are two types of shelters - general population shelters and special needs shelters. It is important to note that not every person with a disability is eligible to evacuate to a special needs shelter. The best place to shelter for every Floridian is outside the evacuation area, in a safe and secure structure, with family and friends.

While evacuating to a general population shelter, Floridians should bring some of their own supplies such as bed linens or blankets, clothing, toiletries/hygiene items and personal medications. Other resources available at general population shelters may vary. To assure your needs can be accommodated, contact your local emergency management office. Click here for a list of county emergency management offices and contacts.

Click here for a list of general population shelters throughout Florida.

Special Needs Shelters

Special needs shelters differ from general population shelters in that they have supplementary power and are capable of providing safe housing for people who need assistance with a health condition or need special supervision of that condition by a health care professional during times of emergencies. Although special needs shelters provide more care than a general shelter, they do not provide the level of care found in a medical facility.

By definition, a special needs shelter is only for individuals who require sheltering assistance due to physical impairment, mental impairment, cognitive impairment or sensory disabilities during periods of evacuation or emergency situations. In addition to voluntary registration prior to an emergency, a person with disabilities/special needs must meet certain eligibility requirements to be admitted to a special needs shelter. Eligibility requirements might be different depending on the county in which you live.

Contact your local emergency management office to find out more about special needs shelters and what is required to register.

It is important to note that a special needs shelter is a shelter of last resort - a place to go when you or the person you care for has no other sheltering option.

• What to Take to a Shelter
• What to Expect in a Shelter
• Eligibility Requirements for Special Needs Shelters
• Sheltering With Your Pet or Service Animal
• Special Needs Sheltering

Go Back to "Evacuations and Shelters."

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