Hurricane 2012: Before the storm - Plan ahead to get into special needs shelter

In the days before a hurricane hits, grocery store lines grow long as shoppers stock up on water, ice and nonperishable foods.

But for people with special needs, planning for a storm should start weeks or even months in advance of a hurricane.

Counties designate people with special needs as people with physical, emotional, sensory or visual impairment. They are residents who aren’t able to respond independently to an emergency situation that requires evacuation.

People with special needs should register early with the county and make sure they have plans in place in case they cannot return home, according to county emergency management agencies.

What to do if you have special needs:

■ Those living in Collier County should call Collier County Emergency Management at 239-252-3600 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to request an information packet and a registration application. Application forms and more information are available online at www.collierem.org at the link titled “special needs/sheltering.”

■ Residents in Lee County should call Lee County Emergency Management at 239-533-3622 Monday through Friday to request a registration form. Residents must submit a new application each year to remain on the special needs registry.

Residents in both counties are asked to bring a companion or caregiver to accompany them.

People with special needs should bring important paperwork, medications, oxygen if needed, bed/bedding and personal items to the shelter.

In Collier County, residents are asked to bring food and drinking water. In Lee County, these items are provided.

Only service animals are allowed in the shelters. Other arrangements should be made for other pets.

Forms are available at the organization’s website at www.leeeoc.com. Registration for a special-needs shelter in Lee County will be cut off five days before any storm.

If a person’s physician has decided he or she needs to be cared for in a hospital during an evacuation, he or she needs to arrange admittance prior to evacuation, emergency officials said.

2012 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HURRICANE GUIDE

Before the storm

• Play it safe, be prepared
• Start early to make trees storm-safe
• Take steps to minimize damage to pool area
• Storm prep vital for boats, boaters
• Protect your loved ones and history
• Plan ahead to get into special needs shelter
• Keep medical records safe by storing them electronically
• Be thorough before, after hurricane to ensure coverage
• Hurricane Andrew 20-year anniversary
• Have a plan for evacuation
• Generator safety crucial before use
• Types of window protection
• Types of hurricane intensity

During the storm

• Stay safe by heeding these weather tips
• Be alert to these road projects during 2012 hurricane season

After the storm

• What is the best way to repair your roof?
• Check out contractors before you hire someone to do repairs

Other stories

• Florida faces other weather risks, too
• Emergency managers tap new apps, social media for 2012 hurricane season

2012 Hurricane Guide

• John Patrick: Busy season or not, one direct hit is all it takes, so be prepared

Links

• Hurricane shelters for south Lee and Collier counties
• Evacuation routes for south Lee and Collier counties
• On the Web
• Important phone numbers
• Hurricane Photos
• Hurricane Videos