Where are Sarasota-Manatee hurricane shelters? What's my Sarasota-Manatee evacuation zone?

Staff Report
·5 min read
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People stand in line for breakfast being served in the disaster shelter at Riverview High School in Sarasota in advance of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
People stand in line for breakfast being served in the disaster shelter at Riverview High School in Sarasota in advance of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

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Quick Sarasota-Manatee Hurricane Ian links:

When should I go to a Sarasota-Manatee hurricane shelter?

If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone or a mobile home, you must evacuate when the evacuation order is issued. Your first choice should be to stay with a friend or family member living close by but who is not in a flood-vulnerable area.

(You can find your Sarasota County hurricane evacuation zone here and your Manatee County hurricane evacuation zone here.)

Keep in mind: A shelter will not be a pleasant place. It might be crowded. You won’t be allowed to bring the comforts of home.

Also, do not head to a shelter until they are officially opened by Sarasota or Manatee counties. They will announce on their websites, through social media and through the Herald-Tribune when shelters are opening.

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Hurricane Shelters in Manatee County: Bradenton, Palmetto, Parrish, Anna Maria, Longboat Key

According to Manatee County Emergency Management,

  • Be aware of which shelters are pet friendly. If you plan to go to a pet-friendly shelter, please be familiar with the Pet Requirements for Shelters (below) in advance.

  • Sign up for the Special Needs Registry if you do not have transportation to get to a shelter and will need assistance.

  • Public shelters should be a last option. It is always recommended to stay with family and friends if possible when you're told to evacuate.

Pet shelter requirements:

  • Pet(s) must arrive with a carrier or cage. Cages will not be available on site.

  • Pet(s) must remain in carrier (except at scheduled exercise times).

  • Owners must provide pet food and other pet supplies as needed.

  • Owners must provide certification that pet(s) are current with rabies vaccination

  • Owners will not permit other shelter occupants to handle or approach pet(s).

  • Owners are responsible for the care, feeding and handling of their own pet(s).

SHELTERS:

  • Bayshore Elementary School, 6120 26th St. W., Bradenton

  • Braden River High School, 6545 State Road 70 E., Bradenton (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Braden River Middle School, 6215 River Club Blvd., Bradenton

  • Daughtrey Elementary, 515 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton

  • Freedom Elementary School, 9515 State Road 64 E., Bradenton

  • Gullett Elementary School, 12125 44th Ave. E., Bradenton

  • Haile Middle School, 9501 State Road 64 E., Bradenton

  • Johnson-Wakeland School of International Baccalaureate, 2121 26th Ave. E., Bradenton

  • Lee Middle School, 4000 53rd Ave. W., Bradenton

  • Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • McNeal Elementary School, 6325 Lorraine Road, Bradenton

  • Miller Elementary School, 601 43rd St. W., Bradenton

  • Oneco Elementary School, 5214 22nd St. Court E., Bradenton

  • Prine Elementary School, 3801 Southern Parkway, Bradenton

  • Rogers Garden Elementary School, 515 13th Ave. W., Bradenton

  • Seabreeze Elementary School, 3601 71st St. W., Bradenton

  • Willis Elementary School, 14705 The Masters Ave., Bradenton

  • Witt Elementary School, 200 Rye Road, Bradenton

  • Myakka City Elementary School, 37205 Manatee Ave., Myakka City

  • Buffalo Creek Middle School, 7320 69th St. E., Palmetto

  • Mills Elementary School, 7200 69th St. E., Palmetto (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Tillman Elementary School, 1415 29th St. E., Palmetto

  • Harvey Elementary School, 8610 115th Ave. E., Parrish

  • Williams Elementary School, 3404 Ft. Hamer Road, Parrish

  • Kinnan Elementary School, 3415 Tellevast Road, Sarasota

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Hurricane Shelters in Sarasota County: Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Siesta Key, Casey Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key

According to Sarasota County Emergency Management, residents should first seek out a friend or family member in a safe area to stay with and only go to an evacuation shelter as a last resort. If you do go to a shelter, expect to have no privacy, limited space and no conveniences or luxuries.

If an evacuation is called for, and you do not evacuate, you will be without fire rescue, law enforcement or emergency medical support until winds and waters subside.

SHELTERS:

  • Atwater Elementary School, 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Heron Creek Middle School, 6501 West Price Blvd., North Port (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • North Port High School, 6400 West Price Blvd., North Port (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Woodland Middle School, 2700 Panacea Blvd., North Port (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Booker High School, 3201 North Orange Ave., Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Brookside Middle School, 3636 South Shade Ave., Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Fruitville Elementary School, 601 North Honore Ave., Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Gulf Gate Elementary School, 6500 South Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Phillippi Shores Elementary, 4747 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Southside Elementary School, 1901 Webber St., Sarasota (Pet-friendly shelter)

  • Taylor Ranch Elementary School, 2500 Taylor Ranch Trail, Venice (Pet-friendly shelter)

What to take to a hurricane shelter

  • Identification and insurance papers

  • A gallon of water

  • Medicines and Medic Alert tags

  • Blankets and pillows or a sleeping bag

  • Lounge chair

  • Flashlights, radio and batteries

  • Changes of clothing, soap, deodorant

  • Small games, books, magazines, cards

  • Baby needs: Diapers, formula, etc.

  • Snacks

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Where to find a hurricane shelter in sarasota manatee bradenton venice