TAMPA, Fla. — As hurricane season continues, Hillsborough County officials are encouraging residents with medical needs to prepare well before a storm is on the horizon.
The county’s final “Make a Plan” community discussion focused on helping people preregister for special needs shelters and transportation services to avoid last-minute challenges during an emergency.
For residents who depend on oxygen, dialysis, or electrically powered medical equipment, evacuating ahead of a hurricane requires additional planning. Officials say preregistering for a special needs shelter can make the evacuation process faster and less stressful if a storm threatens the area.
“Our special needs shelters are for people who have that extra medical need,” said Claire Maher with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. “If you need assistance getting to our shelter, when you preregister you can indicate if you need transportation assistance, and our transportation partners will help get you to and from the shelter.”
Special needs shelters provide medical monitoring and nursing support for eligible residents, but county officials emphasize they are not hospitals or nursing homes. People staying at these shelters should bring a caregiver if needed, along with medications, medical supplies, and personal items. Pets are also allowed, provided they are properly secured and up to date on vaccinations.
Emergency management officials stress that shelters should be considered a last resort. If a home is safe and located outside an evacuation zone, remaining there—or staying with friends or family in a secure location—is often the preferred option.
“Now is the time to make the plans,” said Katja Miller with the Hillsborough County Office of Emergency Management. “It’s important that you’re not waiting until a storm is impending. That’s going to give you some extra stress, and it may even limit your time to gather resources or make good decisions.”
For residents who cannot travel to a shelter independently, Hillsborough County’s Sunshine Line provides accessible transportation for eligible individuals who preregister.
Once registered, qualifying residents are automatically placed on the transportation list and contacted if a storm requires evacuation.
“We work with the Department of Health, where we’ll call down that list of those that are registered for the shelter to make sure that they can get to a shelter,” Sunshine Line Director Jerry Stickney said.
In recent years, Hillsborough County has invested in expanding and improving its shelter system, including installing new generators and upgrading backup power at special needs shelters. These improvements help ensure shelters can continue operating during extended power outages.
Even with those upgrades, officials remind residents that emergency shelters are designed for short-term use and can be uncomfortable during prolonged stays. Planning ahead and identifying alternative shelter options whenever possible remains the best strategy.
Residents who may need a special needs shelter are encouraged to preregister with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County before a storm develops. Early registration helps ensure transportation and shelter arrangements can be made quickly if an evacuation becomes necessary.