Be prepared: When you need an emergency shelter …

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The best place to shelter will always be with friends or family, in a safe structure, and outside of the evacuation area. But when it is not possible to do so, temporary emergency shelters, usually located in schools, office buildings or county-owned facilities, are safe refuge provided to the public by the State and impacted county. There are three types of shelters: General Population, Pet-Friendly, and Special Needs. While they are stocked with necessities and offer a place to sleep with protection from the elements, shelters are not like staying in a hotel or someone’s home. 

Florida’s Division of Emergency Management advises residents to expect a shelter will be crowded, noisy, boring, short-staffed and offer little privacy.

Types of shelters

General population

General population shelters provide safe haven and support during emergencies to any member of the public. General population shelters are staffed by volunteers and professionals dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of the occupants. A general population shelter can administer basic first aid, but if you have medical conditions that require daily assistance, check your eligibility for a special needs shelter. 

Pet-friendly

Every household with animals needs to include them in their emergency plans. In any emergency public shelter, service animals will be permitted, but pets are only welcome at designated pet-friendly shelters.  If you are ordered to evacuate, never stay home because of your pets. Pinellas County offers numerous pet-friendly shelters and exact locations will be listed at disaster.pinellas.gov.

Special needs

In Pinellas County, preregistration is required for special needs shelters, and forms are available at disaster.pinellas.gov. Residents of all ages who have special needs, such as oxygen/electricity dependency or mobility/routine care assistance, are eligible to register – but not every individual with a disability will require a special needs shelter.  The Florida Department of Health staffs special needs shelters with medical personnel, and the County can make transportation arrangements and even pet sheltering arrangements for eligible individuals. 

What to bring to a shelter

When evacuating to a shelter, bring all the items, within reason, that are part of your unique daily routine, as well as your Emergency Kit. Pinellas County provides a checklist to help you prepare to evacuate to a shelter, found here. Shelters do not provide beds or bedding, toiletries, personal medication or specialty items like baby supplies or food for dietary restrictions.  There will be restrooms on site, but no showers or laundry facilities. Not all shelters are connected to generators, so consider bringing items like flashlights and battery operated fans in case of a power loss. 

Other items to consider include:

bed linens or blankets

a cot, folding chair, and/or twin-sized air mattress

clothing

eye mask/ear plugs

toiletries/hygiene items

personal medications and copies of prescriptions

specialty dietary items

ID and important documents (including home and car insurance)

chargers/battery backups for personal electronic devices

emergency kit

items needed for babies, service animals and/or pets

things to keep you busy, like books, games/deck of cards and other activities 

In Pinellas County, not every shelter is activated for every situation. A shelter you’ve used before may not be open when it is time for you to make your sheltering decisions. Check ahead at the general list to guide your planning, and be ready to confirm before you go. The most up-to-date information will be published at disaster.pinellas.gov or available by calling 727-464-4333 (this phone number is only active during emergencies).

Emergencies can be stressful and scary, but none of us are alone. Prepare to the best of your ability, stay informed, and when it is time, take action. But also remember to be patient and give others grace. 

When it comes to an emergency, we’re all in it together, and we’ll get through it together.  

This article was compiled with information from the Florida Department of Health, Pinellas County and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.