Shelters


Emergency Public Shelter​

It is necessary to prepare an evacuation plan before hurricane season arrives, and you should have several options from which to choose. If your first option does not work and you have no other safe place to go, you should go to an Emergency Public Shelter. 

A shelter is a safe place to be during an emergency. However, it offers only the basic life-sustaining necessities, such as shelter from the weather; water and food; and sanitary services. The shelter will likely not have electricity for the majority of your stay. It will be noisy, crowded and somewhat uncomfortable. In a storm of similar size to those we have experienced here the past few decades, each person will be assigned 20 square feet of space to sleep and keep your things. In the event we are faced with a catastrophic storm, we will be focused on life safety and will bring into the shelter all those seeking refuge from the storm, reducing individual space allowance for a period of time.

Be sure the shelter is open before you go. All listed shelters will not be open for every storm. Local radio and television stations will announce which shelters are open. We cannot predict how long you may have to remain at the shelter, since we cannot predict how damaging the effects of each storm will be. Food will be provided, but you should bring some food items with you for between meals, or in case you do not like what is being served. If you have diet restrictions or require specialty foods, you must bring those.

You must bring your own personal hygiene items, sleeping bags/cots, blankets, towels and comfort items to the shelter.


 Public Shelters List



 Special Medical Needs Program


Lee County Special Medical Needs Program​​​

The Special Medical Needs Program is available to all Lee County residents at no cost. It provides shelter from a Tropical Storm or Hurricane for those who live in a home and/or area that is not safe from storm surge or wind, and have no other safe place to go. It also provides transportation to a shelter for those residents who do not have a way to get there. You must register to receive these services by completing the Special Medical Needs Program application below. We stop processing applications when Lee County enters the seven-day forecast cone of a storm, submit your application early in the season.

Registering with the Special Medical Needs Program does not guarantee you will be assigned a space in the Special Medical Needs Shelter.  Your application will be reviewed by the Department of Health, and you will be assigned to a shelter where your needs can be managed. 

For additional information, visit the Special Medical Needs Program webpage here.

English

Español

Special Medical Needs Application     
  

 Solicitud Para Inscribirse al Programa de Necesidades Especiales
 ​Special Needs Program Checklist​   (for JAWS)
​Programa de Necesidads Especiales   (for JAWS)

​​    Printable application - English                                       Aplicación imprimible - Español

If you have questions about the Special Medical Needs Program, call 239-533-0640.


 Pet Friendly Shelter


​In a hurricane, pets are subjected to the same hazards as people and have many of the same needs. Evacuating to a friend's home or pet-friendly hotel outside of the evacuation zone would be a good plan. If that isn't available, you can bring your cat or dog to our Pet-Friendly Shelter.  Pet-Friendly shelters will be open in every storm; locations may vary.

Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) manages this shelter. It is first-come, first-served, and there is no pre-registration required. You must shelter at the school with your pet (in other words, you cannot drop your pet at the shelter and leave). Owners are responsible for feeding, exercising and cleaning up after their pets.

Your pet will need a Hurricane Disaster Kit, too. Include water, non-perishable food, medications and clean-up supplies. You will need a crate or carrier, collar and leash, and up-to-date vaccination records for your pet. Having a recent photo of your pet will be helpful if you get separated.

Remember:

  • Never leave your pets outside during a storm.
  • Never leave a cat with a dog, even if the two are normally friends.
  • Confine and keep small pets (birds, hamsters, etc.) away from cats and dogs.
  • Dangerous animals should be secured in special crates or cages.

LCDAS has a website on hurricane preparedness for your pets, filled with tips and information on how to get your pets ready.  https://www.leegov.com/animalservices/safety/hurricane

For more information call Lee County Animal Services at 239-533-7387, or go to www.LeeLostPets.com.



Would you like to assist with shelter support?  Get started by completing the Volunteer Application.

Weapons, smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all shelters. 
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