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St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management, St. Johns County Public Health Department, and other county agencies and volunteers have established Special Needs Shelters for use during a disaster situation.
A Special Needs Shelter is different than a Public Shelter. The Special Needs Shelter is not a hospital or nursing home. It is a refuge for people who have specific special needs that cannot be met at a Public Shelter. We highly recommend that persons with special needs register with St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management.
Shelters are noisy, crowded and have few personal comforts. It is important to note that the Special Needs Shelter, like any shelter, should be your refuge of last resort if you have absolutely no where else to go. For your comfort, it would be preferable to arrange to stay outside of the area of danger.
The Special Needs Shelter is housed in a County facility. This facility provides us an area to stay during an emergency. A limited number of cots are available and are offered on a first come first serve bases, so there is the possibility there will not be cots for everyone in the shelter. You are responsible for bringing your own pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, egg crate mattresses, and any special items you may require for personal comfort.
Hospital beds will not be available. If you require a hospital bed, you need to make arrangements to leave the area.
The shelter has an emergency generator which can supply power - in a limited manner. There may be times in order to conserve available power that air conditioning will not be available.
The Special Needs Shelter is not a substitute for your regular health care. There will probably not be a physician in the shelter. Nurses are there to provide assistance only, not for providing all of your care. If you are under the care of a doctor or home health care agency, please discuss your disaster evacuation plans with them.
If you have home health care, please bring your folder and your nurse's name and phone number. Please call them before you leave home to let them know where you will be.
You are responsible for bringing your medications and any medical supplies and equipment that you use. This includes Depends, Chux, Urinals, etc. Bring at least a 3-day supply with you. Identify all your personal belongings with your name.
The Shelter has very limited staffing provided. The nurses and staff are there to provide assistance and first aid measures only. Specialized nursing care IS NOT available.
If you require assistance with daily living activities such as eating, bathing, or going to the bathroom, you must bring a caregiver with you.
A Public Shelter is an assigned place where you can go in the event of an evacuation. Shelters are noisy, crowded and have few personal comforts. It is important to note that a Public Shelter, like any shelter, should be your refuge of last resort if you have absolutely no where else to go. For your comfort, it would be preferable to arrange to stay outside of the area of danger.
No pre-registration is required for a Public Shelter. Once an evacuation notice is given, and the Public Shelter location is announced, proceed to that location.
In St. Johns County a Public Shelter will be one (or more) of the local schools. Which school(s) to be opened depends on the disaster situation at hand. Shelter locations will be announced as opened.
You are responsible for bringing your own pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, egg crate mattresses, and any special items you may require for you personal comfort.
During a storm, the water supply may be interrupted. You are responsible for bringing your own bottled water. At least one gallon per person, per day, is recommended. You are also responsible for bringing a 3-day supply of non-perishable food for yourself and your caregiver. Depending on the severity of the emergency, it may be some time before food can be brought into the shelter.
It is very important to monitor the local television and radio stations for weather updates, evacuation orders, and shelter information.
Please bring a flashlight and extra batteries in case power is lost. Bring personal grooming items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc. Bring a book, magazine, playing cards, or a game to help pass the time.
| [ ] | 3 day supply of water 1 gallon per person / per day |
| [ ] | 3 day supply of non-perishable ready to eat food / per person |
| [ ] | Manual can opener |
| [ ] | 3-day supply of medications, Depends, Chux, urinals, etc. |
| [ ] | Personal grooming / hygiene items, feminine supplies |
| [ ] | Eyeglasses |
| [ ] | Pillows, blankets, sheets |
| [ ] | Egg crate mattress / sleeping bag |
| [ ] | Lawn chair / chaise lounge |
| [ ] | Books, magazines, cards, games, etc. |
| [ ] | Extra clothing |
| [ ] | Personal Identification / Important papers |
| [ ] | Wheelchair / walker, if needed |
| [ ] | Oxygen, if needed |
If you have any questions, please call the St. Johns County Department of Emergency Management at (904)824-5550.