Evacuations have been ordered for anyone in Zone A-Red, Zone B-Orange, as well as residents in any zone living in mobile and manufactured homes. It is advised you stay with friends and family members who live outside of evacuation areas or flood zones, in a well-constructed home. If you have no place to go, shelters are refuges of last resort.
With the opening of this shelter, there are five shelter locations open:
- 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
- Babcock School Field House, 43301 Cypress Pkwy, Punta Gorda
If you choose to go a shelter you will need to bring supplies for each family member and pets (all Charlotte County shelters are pet friendly).
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad and/or blankets and pillow
- Personal flashlight & headlamps
- Disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, soap, cloth face coverings
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Soap – you may choose to purchase body wipes for quick wipe downs instead of soap
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cell phones chargers/backup battery
- Extra sets of clothes suitable for the season
- Extra socks and sturdy shoes
- Food or snacks (72+ hours worth)
- Books or magazine
- Prescription medications, eyeglasses
- Important documents
If you will have pets, be sure to bring:
- Pet care items
- Pet food and water (at least two weeks worth)
- Proper identification
- Medical records/microchip info/vaccination papers
- A carrier or cage
- Muzzle and leash
- Water and food bowls
- Medications
For Hurricane Ian information, call the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center at 941-833-4000.