JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida’s Emergency Management director is expecting increased demand for shelter space in the upcoming hurricane season thanks to the pandemic and record-high inflation.
This means there will likely be limited space available for people who plan to shelter in place locally.
Florida’s Emergency Management says it’s critical that families plan ahead especially if they will need extra assistance to secure transportation from their home to an evacuation shelter and additional needed assistance.
People are expected to stick with nearby public shelters rather than spend extra money on hotels hundreds of miles away.
To avoid overcrowding, the Florida Division of Emergency Management Director recommends planning ahead and considering questions like:
- Where am I going to go?
- Do I have friends and family that live within 10 to 20 miles of my evacuation zone?
Homeowners are also encouraged to review their insurance policies and make sure they have enough insurance to cover a rebuild of their home and to replace anything that could get damaged by a storm.
RELATED: Hurricane season starts next week. Have you read your insurance policy lately?
If you or your loved one has special needs, you should fill out the City of Jacksonville’s Special Medical Needs Registry form as soon as possible. It’s one form per person and you can register online or by mail. Duval County residents must re-register every year.
Hurricane season begins on June 1.