Shelters are opening up throughout Southwest Florida as Hurricane Milton nears.
If you choose to go to a shelter, you will need to bring supplies for each family member.
Items to bring to the shelter are:
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad and/or blankets and pillow
- Personal flashlight & headlamps
- Disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, soap, cloth face coverings
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Soap – you may choose to purchase body wipes for quick wipe downs instead of soap
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cell phones chargers/backup battery
- Extra sets of clothes suitable for the season
- Extra socks and sturdy shoes
- Food or snacks (72+ hours worth)
- Books or magazine
- Prescription medications, eyeglasses
- Important documents
If you will have pets, be sure to bring:
- Pet care items
- Pet food and water (at least two weeks worth)
- Proper identification
- Medical records/microchip info/vaccination papers
- A carrier or cage
- Muzzle and leash
- Water and food bowls
- Medications
The following shelters are open:
Charlotte County:
Charlotte County Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders for residents in Red Zone-A and Orange Zone-B. See your evacuation zone map here .
The evacuation also includes residents in any zone living in mobile and manufactured homes.
All Charlotte County Shelters are pet-friendly.
Babcock Ranch School Field House:
43281 Cypress Parkway
Harold Avenue Recreation Center:
23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte
Kingsway Elementary School:
23300 Quasar Blvd., Port Charlotte
Liberty Elementary School:
370 Atwater St., Port Charlotte
Neil Armstrong Elementary School:
22100 Breezeswept Ave., Port Charlotte
Residents are urged to monitor the storm’s progress, review emergency plans, and ensure hurricane kits are ready.
Collier County:
Mandatory evacuation order for Collier County Flood Zones A & B. See your evacuation zone map here .
For the latest shelter information, click here .
Lee County:
Mandatory evacuation order for Lee County Zones A & B. See your evacuation zone map here .
No shelters open at this time. Select Shelters will be open at 3 p.m. Click here for the latest updates and list of shelters.
