Indian River St. Lucie counties prepare to open emergency shelters for storm

Staff report
·3 min read

Indian River County and St. Lucie counties will open their emergency shelters beginning Wednesday.

Nicole could reach Category 1 hurricane strength by the time it nears the Treasure Coast later this week. It make make landfall here, forecasters say.

Indian River County

Indian River will open its three shelters at 7 a.m. Wednesday, officials announced Monday afternoon.

Its special-needs shelter will be at Treasure Coast Elementary; the Freshman Learning Center will accommodate the general-population shelter and the 800 wing of the Freshman Learning Center will house the county's pet-friendly shelter shelter.

Closings: Schools, activities, government offices closing as Subtropical Storm Nicole approaches

Get updates: How to download TCPalm's iPhone, Android apps for local updates on subtropical storm Nicole

Cat 1 storm?: Nicole could be hurricane by landfall on Treasure Coast, with up to 6 inches rain

For information, call the county's Citizen Hotline, 772-226-4000, beginning 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday.

St. Lucie County

The county’s Public Safety Department will be opening shelters beginning 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Locations are:

  • Special-needs shelter: Havert L. Fenn, 2000 Virginia Ave,, Fort Pierce

  • Pet-friendly shelter/general-population shelter: Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, 1801 Panther Lane, Fort Pierce

  • General-population shelter: Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Blvd., Port St. Lucie

Residents must bring these items to a shelter:

  • Pillow, blanket and linens for everyone in your group. It is suggested to bring a folding cot, twin size air mattress or equivalent

  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food per person

  • Three-day supply of drinking water in non-breakable container (one gallon per day, per person)

  • Prescription medications in their prescription bottles; any "Do not resuscitate" order; Bring the original document that it is on canary yellow paper.

Personal Items:

  • Important papers (Personal identification, Insurance policies, etc.)

  • Reading glasses

  • Personal hygiene articles (tooth brush, soap, towel, wash cloth, etc.)

  • Change of clothing

  • Sweater or jacket

  • Rainwear

  • Quiet games i.e. cards, books and knitting.

Special-needs shelter (all of the above plus):

Vital medical equipment i.e. oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen bottles.

Pet-friendly shelter(All of the above plus):

  • Proof of rabies vaccination for your dog or cat.

  • Pets must remain contained in an approved carrier (hard plastic or wire) except at scheduled times. Carriers are required to be large enough to accommodate bedding, food/water bowls and litter pans

  • At least one family member must remain at the shelter at all times while their animal is being sheltered.

  • Each pet owner is responsible for assigning one caregiver for animal visitation, walking, cleaning, feeding and administering medication.

  • Pets should be fed their regular diet, water should be changed daily. Pet carriers and their immediate area are expected to be kept neat and clean.

  • Dogs should be kept on a short leash at all times when out of their carrier. Retractable leaches are discouraged.

  • Dogs are to be walked in designated areas only and owners are expected to use waste bags (provided). There are designated disposal areas for waste.

  • Pets and carriers must maintain proper identification.

Martin County

Martin County has yet to announce shelter openings and details.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Subtropical Storm Nicole: Emergency shelters opening Wednesday