Emergency Management in conjunction with the American Red Cross oversees emergency sheltering for impacted and displaced residents during times of emergency.

In Santa Rosa County, hurricane shelters will be opened as needed when evacuation orders are issued. Shelter openings will be announced through all means possible including local media outlets, press conferences and public meetings. All shelters may not be opened at the same time, therefore attention must be given to the current shelter status in Santa Rosa County. Large Scale Map of Santa Rosa County

• Shelter openings may vary with each emergency.
• If unable to receive media information during an event contact the Citizen Information Center at 850-983-INFO "4636" for a listing of which shelters will be opened.
• Shelter openings will differ by size and intensity of a disaster.
• Do not go to the shelter until you have verified that it is open. 
  

Here are some things you should know about going to a hurricane evacuation shelter.

Hurricane evacuation shelters are provided for public use in the event a hurricane evacuation becomes necessary and if you have no other place to go. It is recommended that other arrangements be made with a friend or relative that lives in a well-constructed home, out of the evacuation area, and properly protected to withstand hurricane force winds. You will probably be more comfortable, certainly in a less crowded environment and among friends. Remember, alcohol, weapons and pets are not permitted in public shelters.

Many churches will provide shelter for members and businesses should consider sheltering employees and families if possible.

Buildings used for evacuation shelters are normally public schools that are staffed by Red Cross volunteers and specially trained county staff. Shelters are always crowded, usually uncomfortable when the power goes off because there is no ventilation, long lines to use restrooms and to get food, and very noisy making it difficult to rest or sleep. Keep in mind you may have to stay in the shelter for several days.

If you go to a public evacuation shelter, you will need to take the following items:

Shelter Type	Pet Friendly	Shelter Location	Address
Public (map)	No	Milton Community Center	5629 Byrom St
Public (map)	No	S.S. Dixon Intermediate School	5540 Education Dr
Public (map)	No	Avalon Middle School	5445 King Arthur’s Way

What to Bring to the Shelter

A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes. Toiletries and personal items. Blankets or sleeping bags. Identification and any important papers. Games or toys for children; books for adults. Special items for infants or elderly family members. Any special dietary needs and nonperishable foods for snacks. Battery operated radio, flashlights and plenty of spare batteries. Prescription medications or any over-the-counter medications you normally take.

Shelter Type	Pet Friendly	Shelter Location	Address
Special Needs (map) pre-registration required	No	Bennett C. Russell Elementary	3740 Excalibur Way

Special Needs Program –
	Responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a register to provide citizens who meet program criteria transportation and shelter during emergency evacuations. See also Information on Special Needs Centers

In the event that additional evacuation shelters are needed, standby evacuation shelters have been identified and would be opened. Evacuation shelters, including the Special Needs Evacuation Shelter, are public buildings (usually schools) that are safer than mobile homes. There is no guarantee that an evacuation shelter is totally safe in severe storms.

Evacuation shelters should not be your first option of choice, they should be your last resort. Evacuating to a relative's or friend's home, in a safe area, should be considered first. Another option is the early evacuation of the projected area.

Do not attempt to stay in your home if you live in a flood-prone area or where you may be subject to storm surge. Go to an evacuation shelter or other safe area. Please see the evacuation shelter maps to find the shelter closest to your area.

These are locations used as a last resort to provide refuge for evacuees that may have otherwise been stranded along evacuation routes within hazard impact areas.

As the need becomes apparent, Santa Rosa County Emergency Management will announce the locations of refuges of last resort to motorists by all available means including news media, programmable road signs, etc.

Refuges of last resort are operated by the facility owners or their staff and are responsible for taking care of all necessities, such as food, water etc.