All Hazard Awareness
General Population Storm Shelters located in North Port:
Atwater Elementary School 4701 Huntsville Ave.
Heron Creek Middle School, dog/cat friendly 6501 West Price Blvd.
North Port High School, dog/cat friendly 6400 West Price Blvd.
Woodland Middle School, pet friendly 2700 Panacea Blvd.
2020 Community Guide 53
Typically, people think of the hurricane
as Florida’s “natural disaster.” And while it’s
true that residents and visitors alike should
be well prepared for hurricane season ( June
1-November 30), in North Port we like to
have “All Hazard Awareness.” Wildfires are
something we can encounter during our dry
winter months. Many of the same preparations
we make for hurricane season can apply:
having an emergency kit, evacuation plan, and
having all of your important phone numbers
and documents at hand. Visit www.scgov.net
for detailed information, including evacuation
routes and maps. If you don’t own a computer,
there is a computer lab at the North Port
Library and Shannon Staub Library or feel free
to stop by the Chamber office for assistance.
Hurricane guides can also be found at various
locations around the city starting in May.
When you go to a shelter, bring your
family emergency kit (food, water, medications,
and entertainment), clothes, and
bedding. If you are going to a dog/cat
friendly shelter with your dog or cat,
you must bring food, water, medication,
wire-frame crate, toys, and current health
documents for your pet.
If you need continuing medical support
(if you are oxygen tank-dependent, have
an unstable heart condition, are on dialysis,
etc.), you may be eligible for the Persons
with Special Needs program, which places
individuals in shelters specially equipped
to care for them. Call 941-861-5000
for more information or to obtain an
application to register for the program.