As meteorologists track Nicole, many Central Florida counties are opening storm shelters for residents. The information below comes from county and other officials.

What You Need To Know

Brevard County

Brevard County will open four shelters at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, for residents in the recommended evacuation groups and for individuals who do not feel safe in their homes as a result of the potential hurricane-force winds, storm surge, and flooding conditions from Tropical Storm Nicole, which is expected to begin impacting the county late Wednesday and continuing into Thursday.

The following shelters will be available for general population, families wishing to bring their pets, and those with medical special needs who have pre-registered or been screened by the Florida Department of Health-Brevard.

 

  • Max K. Rodes Community Center, 3410 Flanagan Ave., West Melbourne, FL 32904
  • South Mainland Community Center, 3700 Allen Ave., Micco, FL 32976
  • Viera Regional Community Center, 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, FL 32940
  • Walter Butler Community Center, 4201 N Cocoa Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32927

Space Coast Area Transit will provide transportation to the shelters for registered special needs clients. To request transportation to a special needs shelter call 2-1-1.

Although shelters will provide food, residents going to shelters will need to take their own supplies, including bedding, folding chairs, or sleeping bags; any needed medications; multiple changes of clothing and and sturdy shoes; personal hygiene items; and entertainment items, like games, cards, books or magazines.

As a reminder, evacuation is recommended for the following groups:

  • Residents who live on the barrier islands, including areas from Kennedy Space Center to south beaches, and Merritt Island
  • Residents in mobile homes or manufactured housing
  • Residences in low-lying, flood-prone areas
  • Any residents with special medical needs such as electrical dependence

For more information about this and other Hurricane Ian questions, call the Community Information Hotline at 2-1-1.

Flagler County

Evacuation Orders:

  • Evacuation orders will go into effect on Wednesday at 3:30 pm for:
    • Evacuation Zone A: Our entire barrier island
    • Those living in mobile homes and RV's countywide
    • Those living in low-lying flood prone areas
  • Individuals needing evacuation assistance are asked to call 386-313-4200 between 8am and noon on Wednesday, so that we may have ample time to make arrangements.
  • If your evacuation plan is to leave Flagler County, please do so no later than Wednesday morning.

Shelters:

  • We recommend that those individual evacuating seek shelter with friends, family, or in a hotel/motel outside of the area being evacuated. 
  • For those without alternative options, Rymfire Elementary School will open as a hurricane evacuation shelter at 3:30 pm on Wednesday.

Lake County

Two residential shelters will open on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. The shelters can accommodate residents with disabilities, pets, and general population.

The shelters will be located at:

  • Umatilla Elementary
  • Lost Lake Elementary

Orange County

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at 7 a.m., Orange County Government will open two general population shelters for individuals needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Tropical Storm Nicole. Shelter locations include:

  • South Econ Community Park (Pet friendly)
  • 3850 S Econlockhatchee Trail
  • Orlando, FL 32829

  • West Orange Recreation Center (Pet friendly)
  • 309 SW Crown Point Rd.
  • Winter Garden, FL 34787

Orange County residents who require a Special Needs/Medical Shelter please dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111. ID cards are not required to enter shelters. Individuals should come prepared with their own supplies and personal-hygiene items. For more information on what to bring with you to a shelter, visit ocfl.net/shelters.

Osceola County

There are no shelters currently open, according to officials. Shelter information can be found here.

Seminole County

Get county storm information here.

The following Seminole County shelters open at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.

  • GENERAL POPULATION & PET-FRIENDLY SHELTER: Lawton Chiles Middle School — 1240 Sanctuary Dr, Oviedo
  • SPECIAL NEEDS & PET-FRIENDLY SHELTER: Bentley Elementary School — 2190 S Oregon Ave, Sanford

Emergency shelters should be used as a last resort; if possible, evacuees should stay with family or friends. Shelter clients will be assigned a space of 3’ x 7’; belongings should fit in this space if staying at a shelter. Cots are not provided at General Population Shelters.

Sumter County

There is no shelters currently open, according to the county. 

Volusia County

County information about Nicole can be found here. 

Mandatory evacuation order

Volusia County has issued a mandatory evacuation order beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday for all residences and businesses that are:

  • East of the Intracoastal Waterway
  • All manufactured and mobile home dwellers east of Interstate 95
  • All low-lying areas and other areas prone to flooding
  • All campsites and RV recreational parks

Evacuees are encouraged to stay with family, friends or an inland hotel and must complete their evacuation by 4 p.m. Wednesday because conditions will begin to deteriorate significantly.

Shelters

Volusia County Schools and Volusia County Government will open four shelters at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9.

General population shelters will be opened at:

  • Creekside Middle School, 6801 Airport Road, Port Orange
  • University High School, 1000 W. Rhode Island Ave., Orange City

Special needs shelters will be opened at:

  • Heritage Middle School, 1001 Parnell Court, Deltona
  • David C. Hinson Middle School, 1860 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach

All four shelters will accept pets. Those staying at a shelter with their pets must bring necessary pet items and supplies.

Additional shelters will be opened if necessary.

Shelters should be used only as a last resort because they do not provide luxury accommodations.

Evacuees may need to stay at a shelter for 24 to 72 hours. Since space is limited, evacuees should bring only essential items. Eat a meal before leaving for a shelter and avoid bringing valuables. Shelters are not responsible for lost or stolen items.