ORLANDO, Fla. — In 2017, an unprecedented number of people turned to evacuation shelters to escape Hurricane Irma.

Sumter County Emergency Management Director David Casto said that they had never experienced that level of shelter need.

The shifting track of Irma caused evacuations in South Florida first and it trickled north. This filled up hotels and shelters fast, and this is why planning ahead is important.

Before heading to a shelter, there are several things to consider. You’ll first want to ask if you really need to evacuate. If you live in an area susceptible to storm surge or flooding, or live in a manufactured home, you may be at greater danger if a storm is approaching.

For others, it might be safer to stay put.

Alan Harris, Seminole County Emergency Manager, says that unless your masonry block home is in a low lying area, the shelter will not provide you with much more protection.

Plus, your home will be more comfortable. It’s more comfort because a shelter’s main goal is only to provide you with a safe place to ride out the storm.

David Casto emphasizes that a shelter is the last resort.

“It’s a lifeboat; it’s not a cruise ship,” he said.

The shelter will only provide you with a space on the ground and a mat to sleep on. You’ll get three meals a day, but you may want to bring extra snacks. Something to keep yourself entertained would also be a good idea when utilizing a shelter.

If you have special medical needs or a disability, make sure to register with a shelter well in advance. This will ensure the shelter has time to make arrangements for additional oxygen or nursing to help out.

For those of you with pets, don’t worry. There are pet friendly shelters that allow you to bring them along. Research where those shelters are in your county so you can evacuate quickly with your entire family when the time comes.

You can find a shelter near you or fill out the special needs registry at floridadisaster.org.

HURRICANE RESOURCES