St. Lucie County - - Wednesday September 28, 2022: Because the forecast for Hurricane Ian remains uncertain, St. Lucie County Public Safety Department, along with its community partners, will open three hurricane shelters, including the medical special needs and pet-friendly shelters, beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29.
There are currently no recommended evacuations for St. Lucie County at this time. However, in an abundance of caution, St. Lucie County’s Emergency Management Team is opening shelters for those living in manufactured homes and low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.
The following shelters will open in St. Lucie County at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29
- Special Needs Shelter: Havert L. Fenn, 2000 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce, Fla. 34982
- Pet-Friendly Shelter: Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, 1801 Panther Lane, Fort Pierce, Fla. 34947
- General Population Shelter: Fort Pierce Central High School, 4101 S 25th St., Fort Pierce, Fla. 34981
Here is a list of essential items that residents must bring to a shelter:
- Pillow, blanket and linens for everyone in your group. It is suggested to bring a folding cot, twin size air mattress, or equivalent to sleep on.
- Three-day supply of non-perishable food for individual taste and/or special diet per person.
- Three-day supply of drinking water in non-breakable container(s). (1 gallon per day, per person).
- Prescription medications in their prescription bottles. If you have a Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNRO) bring it with you. Remember to bring the original document that it is on canary yellow paper.
- Personal Items:
- Important papers (Personal identification, Insurance policies, etc.)
- Reading glasses
- Personal hygiene articles (tooth brush, soap, towel, wash cloth, etc.)
- Change of clothing
- Sweater or jacket
- Rainwear
- Quiet games i.e. cards, book, and knitting.
SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER (All of the above plus):
- Vital Medical equipment i.e. oxygen concentrators, portable oxygen bottles.
PET-FRIENDLY SHELTER (All of the above plus):
- You must provide proof of rabies vaccination for your dog or cat.
- Pets are to remain contained in an approved carrier (hard plastic or wire) except at scheduled times. Carriers are required to be large enough to accommodate bedding, food/water bowls and litter pans
- At least one family member must remain at the shelter at all times while their animal is being sheltered.
- Each pet owner is responsible for assigning one caregiver for animal visitation, walking, cleaning, feeding, and administering medication.
- To avoid gastric upset, pets should be fed their regular diet, water should be changed daily. Pet carriers and their immediate area are expected to be kept neat and clean.
- Dogs should be kept on a short leash at all times when out of their carrier. Retractable leaches are discouraged.
- Dogs are to be walked in designated areas only and owners are expected to use waste bags (provided). There are designated disposal areas for waste.
- Pets and carriers must maintain proper identification.
- Pet owners are responsible for any items brought to the shelter for themselves and or/their pet(s) and will not hold shelter staff responsible for items left behind.
Hurricane Ian is projected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast near Sarasota Wednesday, Sept. 28 afternoon as a Category 3 or 4 storm. The Treasure Coast could begin to experience tropical force winds in the late afternoon, followed by heavy rain fall through Thursday, Sept. 29, depending on the speed of the storm.
St. Lucie County declared a Local State of Emergency at 9 a.m. on Sept. 27. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a State of Emergency for all 67 counties on Saturday, Sept. 24.
St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center is operating at a Level 2 (partial) activation. If residents have questions or concerns, they can call the St. Lucie County Public Information Lines at 772-460-4357 or 772-460-HELP, which are open beginning today from noon to 7 p.m. and the rest of the week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (These hours are subject to change depending on the storm’s path).
The potential for heavy rains and flash flooding will be in effect for the next several days. Residents can report flooding by emailing details, including street addresses and images, to flooding@stlucieco.org. If there is emergency, life-threatening flooding, please call 911. Residents are reminded to avoid driving and/or walking down flooded streets.
St. Lucie County shelters are being open in cooperation with St. Lucie Public Schools, the Florida Department of Health – St. Lucie, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Lucie County Fire District.
St. Lucie County has additional storm-related information available at www.readystlucie.org as well as our social media channels @StLucieGov.