Shelters

shelter (University of South Florida Sun Dome)

Be aware of where you live and whether it is likely you will need to evacuate. If you live on a barrier island, near the coast, in a flood zone or in a mobile home within the warning area, there's a good possibility you'll need to leave. If so, figure out well in advance where you will go - either to the home of a friend or relative, a hotel farther inland or, as a last resort, to a shelter. Use MyTampaAddress to determine what evacuation zone you are located in. The Hillsborough County Hurricane Guide can also help you determine if you live in an evacuation zone and can help you identify Red Cross shelters closest to you.

In the event of an emergency, the media will be notified as to which shelters will open and what times.

In the event of an emergency, all shelters may not be opened. Shelters are opened based on the severity of an emergency and the number of residents to be impacted. In an emergency, residents must tune to the media to find out which are open and the times they are open.

Tampa Shelters

Shelter #	Name	Address
2	Lockhart Elementary	3719 N 17th St
4	Chiles Elementary	16541 W Tampa Palms Blvd
5*	Middleton High School	4801 N 22nd St
13	Heritage Elementary School	10900 Cross Creek Blvd
22	Adams Middle School	10201 N Boulevard
27	Benito Middle School	10101 Cross Creek Blvd
32	Sheehy Elementary School	6402 N 40th St
40	Forest Hills Elementary	10112 N Ola Ave
58	Tampa Bay Blvd Elementary	3111 Tampa Bay Blvd
Special Needs	Erwin Technical Center	N 22nd St & E Hillsborough Ave

The shelters listed above and annotated with a * will open for storms at the lower end of the intensity scale.

Special Needs Shelters

There are three Special Needs (Medical) Shelters in Hillsborough County. A special needs shelter is a temporary emergency facility capable of providing care to residents whose medical condition is such that it exceeds the capabilities of the Red Cross Shelter but is not severe enough to require hospitalization. Health Department doctors and nurses support these shelters.

In order to accommodate residents who need evacuation assistance to a Special Needs Shelter, it is most important that they register prior to June 1st in advance of hurricane season. This will help in determining which shelter they should go to and what, if any assistance they require to evacuate.

Sheltering Pets

Public shelters do not accept pets, so if you are planning to evacuate during a storm, you must plan in advance where your pets will go. Do not leave pets home alone. It could be days or weeks before you return and your pets could starve to death, or flooding could cause needless drowning deaths.

There are pet friendly hotels and motels where the entire family can stay, and pet shelters are located throughout the county. Put your pet into a carrier as soon as possible when you are preparing to leave, as this will reduce stress and keep them from getting lost.