LEE COUNTY, Fla. — This hurricane season, Lee County Emergency Management is well prepared for emergencies amid the pandemic and they want to make sure you are prepared to go to a shelter if needed.
This year shelters will follow COVID-19 guidelines.
The county says they are following the guidance they have received from both the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC)People are still urged to use public shelters as the last resort and should plan to stay with family or friends outside of their evacuation area.
And in the event, the county will need more shelters, “We will, and if we need to, expand our shelters to open more shelters to allow us to spread people apart. we are ready to do that. We just want to encourage people to bring their own supplies, we will have face masks and hand sanitizer available,” said Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Director, Lee County Public Safety – Emergency Management.
Tapfumaney says if people do need to use one of the public shelters- they ask that you bring a few additional items with you.
"In addition to the normal supplies, you would bring with you to a shelter, such as food and water and a sleeping bag, something to sleep on, and materials to keep you occupied."
FEMA has a similar message.
It says this year, part of hurricane preparedness is making sure you are vaccinated.
The county says for families who need to use medical equipment that relies on electricity, you are encouraged to apply for the county's special needs shelters.
Gateway High School is a new shelter that has been added to the location list and for more information on availability and shelters in your area, click here.
