Health

2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Stories from WMFE and the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) which delivers timely public safety information and emergency messaging to 13 public radio stations across the state of Florida.

Shelters open in six Central Florida counties ahead of Idalia. Find your nearest shelter here

Central Florida Public Media | By Danielle Prieur

Published August 28, 2023 at 12:39 PM EDT

Marion County is the first in Central Florida to open hurricane shelters ahead of the storm.

Florida counties will open hurricane shelters ahead of Idalia. Here's the rundown for Central Florida.

***Counties are listed in alphabetical order.***

Brevard County: none open.

Lake County:

All shelters open on August 29 at 3 pm.

Lost Lake Elementary, 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont, special needs shelter, pet-friendly
The Villages Elementary School, 695 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake, special needs shelter, pet-friendly

Marion County:

West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, special needs shelter, already open as of August 28
Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, general population shelter, opening August 29 at 8 am
Horizon Academy, 365 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala, general population shelter, opening August 29 at 8 am
Lake Weir High School, 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, general population shelter, pet-friendly, opening August 29 at 8 am
North Marion Middle School, 2085 W. Highway 329, Citra, general population shelter, opening August 29 at 8 am
Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, general population shelter, pet-friendly, August 29 at 8 am

Orange County:

All shelters open August 29 at 1 pm.

Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, general population shelter, pet-friendly
South Econ Recreation Center, 3850 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, general population shelter, pet-friendly
Silver Star Recreation Center, 2801 N. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, special needs shelter, pet-friendly
Goldenrod Recreation Center, 4863 N. Goldenrod Road, Winter Park, special needs shelter, pet-friendly

Osceola County: none open.

Polk County:

All shelters open August 29 at 4 pm.

Tenorac High School, 4905 Saddle Creek Road, Lakeland, general population shelter, pet-friendly
Mulberry Middle School, 500 Martin Luther King Ave., Mulberry, general population shelter, pet-friendly
Horizons Elementary School, 1700 Forest Lake Drive, Davenport, general population shelter, pet-friendly
Chain of Lakes Elementary School, 7001 CR 653, Winter Haven, general population shelter, pet-friendly
Spessard L. Holland Elementary School, 2342 EF Griffin Road, Bartow, general population shelter, pet-friendly
George Jenkins High School, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, general population shelter, pet-friendly
Department of Health Polk County, 1255 Brice Blvd., Bartow, special needs shelter

Seminole County: none open.

Sumter County:
All shelters open on August 29 at 4 pm.

Sumter Fairgrounds, 7620 SR 471, Webster, general population shelter
Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood, special needs shelter

Volusia County:

Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand, general population shelter, pet-friendly, opening August 29 at 10 am
Florida Department of Health, 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach, special needs shelter, pet-friendly, opening August 29 at 10 am
Volusia County Fairgrounds, 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand, homeless shelter, opening August 29 at 10 am
Bridge at the Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, 421 S. Palmetto Ave., DeLand, general population shelter, pet-friendly, opening August 30 at 7 am

Check the status of shelters here, including what shelters are open and whether they're full.