Hillsborough County officials are urging residents with serious medical needs to register for storm assistance well before a hurricane threatens the area, rather than waiting until an evacuation is imminent.
The push came during the county’s final “Make a Plan” community discussion, which focused on helping residents preregister for special needs shelters and transportation services ahead of an emergency.
Officials said residents who rely on oxygen, dialysis, or electrically powered medical equipment face extra hurdles when evacuating, and that preregistering can speed up the process and reduce stress if a storm approaches.
“Our special needs shelters are for people who have that extra medical need,” said Claire Maher with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. She said residents who preregister can indicate whether they need transportation help, and county partners will arrange rides to and from a shelter.
Special needs shelters offer medical monitoring and nursing support, but county officials stressed they are not hospitals or nursing homes. Residents staying at these shelters are advised to bring a caregiver if needed, along with medications, medical supplies, and personal items. Pets are permitted as long as they are secured and current on vaccinations.
Emergency officials said shelters should be treated as a last resort. Residents whose homes are outside evacuation zones and considered structurally safe are generally advised to stay home or shelter with friends or family instead.
“Now is the time to make the plans,” said Katja Miller with the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management. She said waiting until a storm is approaching adds stress and can limit residents’ time to gather supplies or make sound decisions.
For residents unable to reach a shelter on their own, the county’s Sunshine Line offers accessible transportation to those who register in advance. Once signed up, qualifying residents are automatically added to a transportation list and contacted if evacuation becomes necessary.
“We work with the Department of Health, where we’ll call down that list of those that are registered for the shelter to make sure that they can get to a shelter,” said Sunshine Line Director Jerry Stickney.
The county has recently expanded its shelter system, including installing new generators and upgrading backup power at special-needs shelters to help them operate during extended outages. Officials noted, however, that shelters remain intended for short-term use and can be uncomfortable during long stays, making advance planning for alternative arrangements the best strategy.
Residents who may need a special needs shelter are encouraged to preregister with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County before a storm develops.
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