INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Six emergency shelters will open at 8 a.m. Saturday for residents looking for shelter during Hurricane Irma.
Evacuees should bring a mattress, blankets, pillows and snacks. But, residents should avoid bringing large furniture or any weapons.
Three meals, including two cold and one hot, will be served to evacuees, according to Cristen McMillan, spokeswoman for the School District of Indian River County, and Red Cross South Florida Region officials.
Coffee and water will be available to evacuees all day.
Some shelters will have 10 to 15 volunteers, depending on the size, McMillan said. The School District will have volunteers at the shelters that are Red Cross trained including food service workers, custodians and more.
Only registered service or registered therapy animals are allowed at regular shelters. All other animals should go to the pet shelter.
Residents should be reminded that shelters are a last place of resort. Here are the six shelters that will open Saturday:
- The Treasure Coast Elementary School, 8955 85th Street, Sebastian, is an established special needs shelter. Residents planning to use the special needs shelter must pre-register at http://www.irces.com/em/Special_Needs.htm
- A pet friendly shelter will be at Liberty Magnet School, 6850 81st Street in Vero Beach. Residents need to bring crates for their pets, as well as food, water and litter. All pets must have up-to-date vaccinations. Pets, along with their owners, will be taken on a first come, first serve basis.
General population shelters:
- Fellsmere Elementary School, 50 N. Cypress St., Fellsmere
- Sebastian River Middle School, 9400 Fellsmere Road, Sebastian
- Oslo Middle School, 480 20th Ave. S.W., Vero Beach
- Freshman Learning Center, 1507 19th St., Vero Beach