In response to the State's request, as counties in south Florida continue to issue evacuations in preparation for Hurricane Irma, Alachua County is opening 12 evacuation shelters. This will provide for the safe sheltering of over 7,000 of Florida's most vulnerable residents. Nine general population shelters, one special needs shelter, and two pet-friendly shelters are being opened. The shelters will be staffed by Alachua County, Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, and Alachua County Public Schools personnel.
All shelters are open to Alachua County residents.
Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton said, "We want to thank the Alachua County School Board and the Easton Newberry Sports complex for stepping up to the plate and helping to protect and serve Florida citizens in their time of need."
Additionally, Alachua County has requested that the State open additional shelters at the University of Florida and at Santa Fe College to assist with this statewide effort. The County is awaiting the State's response to that request.
Current identified shelters and their opening times are as follows:
Archer Community School
14533 SW 170th Street, Archer, FL
Open
General Population
Alachua Elementary School
13800 Northwest 152nd Place, Alachua, FL 32615
Open
General Population
Buchholz High School
5510 NW 27th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32606
Open
General Population
Chiles Elementary School
2525 School House Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608
Open
General Population
Kanapaha Middle School
5005 SW 75th St, Gainesville, FL 32608
Open
General Population
Meadowbrook Elementary School
11525 NW 39th Ave. | Gainesville, FL 32606
Open
General Population
Rawlings Elementary School
3500 NE 15th St, Gainesville, FL 32609
Open
General Population
Santa Fe High School
16213 US-441, Alachua, FL 32615
Open
General Population
Shell Elementary School
21633 65th Ave, Hawthorne, FL 32640
Open
General Population
Williams Elementary School
1245 SE 7th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32641
Open
General Population
Easton Newbery Sports Complex
24880 NW 16 Ave, Newberry, FL 32669
Open
General Population
Alachua County Senior Center
5701 NW 34th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32653
Open
Special Needs
Waldo Community School
14450 NE 148th Ave, Waldo, FL 32694
Open
Pet-Friendly
Special Needs persons are citizens who require assistance that exceeds services provided at a general population shelters because of physical, mental, cognitive impairment, or sensory disabilities. Special needs shelters are intended to provide, to the extent possible under emergency conditions, an environment that can sustain an individual's level of health.
For those considering using the emergency shelters, please remember that general population shelters are a last resort, and should only be used by those living in homes that are potentially unsafe in high winds (e.g. mobile homes, manufactured homes and others), people who live in flood-prone areas, and people who have nowhere else safe to go.
General population shelters do not provide cots or beds. Bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods, baby food, diapers (and other child necessities), prescription medications, a small cooler of ice if refrigeration is needed as the shelter cannot be responsible for your medications. Also bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification.
For more information, call 311.