Storm evacuation centers in the area

Always check with the news media as well as county emergency management online pages to determine which evacuation centers are open during an emergency and if pets are allowed. Depending on the county, they may be open at different times.

Residents should bring food and water for themselves and their family as well as cots/bedding and blankets.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

• Kingsway Elementary School, 23300 Quasar Blvd., Port Charlotte

• Liberty Elementary school, 370 Atwater St., Port Charlotte

• Neil Armstrong Elementary School, 22100 Breezeswept Ave., Port Charlotte

• Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center, 23400 Harold Ave., Port Charlotte

People with special needs can register by going to https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov or call 941-833-4000.

The public can follow Charlotte County Emergency Management’s important emergency information at charlottecountyfl.gov.

NORTH PORT

• Atwater Elementary School, 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port

• Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 W. Price Blvd., North Port

• North Port High School, 6400 W. Price Blvd., North Port

• Woodland Middle School, 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port

Contact Sarasota County Emergency Management at scgov.net or by calling the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000.

SARASOTA

• Booker High School 3201 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota

• Brookside Middle School 3636 S. Shade Ave., Sarasota

• Fruitville Elementary School, 601 Honore Ave., Sarasota

• Gulf Gate Elementary School 6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota

• Phillippi Shores Elementary 4747 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

• Riverview High School 1 Ram Way, Sarasota

• Southside Elementary School 1901 Webber St., Sarasota

• Taylor Ranch Elementary School, 2500 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice

There are no county-authorized emergency shelters within the Venice city limits.

Sarasota County Emergency Management can be reached via For more information, visit scgov.net/beprepared or by calling 941-861-5000.

DESOTO COUNTY

• DeSoto County General Population Shelter: DeSoto County Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 N.E. Roan Street, in Arcadia. This is the second year a pet-friendly shelter also will be located at the shelter.

• Special Needs Shelter: Applicants must register to use this shelter. South Florida State College, 2251 NE Turner Ave., in Arcadia.

For more information: desotobocc.com

Special needs

Special needs shelters are available for people who need medical assistance that is not available at a public shelter. Only basic medical assistance and monitoring will be available.

Please note:

• Oxygen will be provided to those persons who require it.

• All persons must be accompanied by a caregiver and provide their own bedding, food, water, medications and transfer oxygen devices.

• No pets are allowed unless they are service animals.

• All service animals must have vaccination records and be caged. You must also provide their food, water, leash and litter box.

• Any person with conditions that cannot be cared for in the special needs shelter must be admitted to a hospital. Arrangements should be made via your personal physician before June 1.

• The Florida Division of Emergency Management, in coordination with each local emergency management agency in the state, developed a system that enables residents with special needs to register with their local emergency management agency to receive assistance during a disaster. Visit snr.floridadisaster.org.