WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — Those with special needs often have special situations that have unique requirements and need a different set-up than traditional shelters before a major storm hits.

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Allie Stone says as a mother, she knows first-hand how important these shelters are for Central Florida.

Her daughter Mila has down syndrome.

“There is a lot more to think about when you have special needs than the average person," said Stone. "You definitely need to plan ahead so that you’re not left in a dire situation.”

Stone said she is like any other mother in Florida planning ahead for the upcoming storm.

Stone — who works as a nurse at Share the Care, a senior daycare center — knows how important it is to make plans before it’s too late.

“It can be detrimental to an individual with special needs during a time when there is not access to fresh food and electricity,” she said.

Stone recommends those with special needs to sign up for a county’s special registry, which informs officials of their situation. 

She said there are major benefits that will help those in need — and it’s not too late to sign up.

“They can assist with transportation to the shelter if I should need it," Stone said. "They will also have special staff at the shelter if needed."

Special Needs Shelters Available Across Central Florida:

Orange County:

  • Goldenrod Recreation Center: 
    • 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, Fla.
  • Silver Star Recreation Center: 
    • 2801 N. Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, Fla.
  • South Econ Park: 
    • 3850 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, Fla.

Link: Orange County Emergency Medical Services

Orange County residents requiring a PSN Shelter can dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111. LYNX will provide free service to shelter locations. For information on what to bring to a shelter, visit the Orange County shelters website. 

Seminole County

  • Bentley Elementary School - 2190 S Oregon Ave., Sanford *Pet-Friendly*
  • Highlands Elementary School - 1600 Shepard Road, Winter Springs 
  • Layer Elementary School - 4201 State Road 419, Winter Springs 

Special Needs/Well Check - PUBLIC - Sign In (everbridge.net)

Or by phone: 407-665- 5102 or 407-665-0000

Brevard County

To request transportation to a special needs shelter call 211.

Marion County

  • A special-needs shelter at West Port High School, 
    • 3733 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 
    • Open at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. 
    • Pets are also allowed into the shelter with proper documentation.

Osceola County

A shelter for those with special medical needs will open at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point in Kissimmee.

Volusia County

  • Galaxy Middle School
    • 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona
  • David C Hinson Sr Middle School
    • 1860 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach

Special needs shelters, which will be staffed by health care professionals, will also be available. Evacuees should be accompanied by only one caregiver. These shelters are not for isolated patients or people who need 24-hour dedicated care, a hospital bed, a ventilator, or other complex care. These individuals should discuss other shelter arrangements with their primary care physician, home health service provider, or caregiver.

Lake County

  • Leesburg Elementary
    • 2229 South St., Leesburg
  • Lost Lake Elementary
    • 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont
  • Astatula Elementary
    • 13925 Florida Ave., Astatula
  • Umatilla Elementary
    • 401 Lake St., Umatilla
  • Villages Elementary
    • 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake

Residents who need help getting to a shelter should call the Citizens Information Line to schedule their travel. LakeXpress, Lake County’s fixed-route bus system, will be providing free rides on Wednesday to travelers who state they need to be taken to a shelter. Free rides will continue to be given until conditions become unsafe. Riders must tell the driver they are going to a shelter to use the free ride.