Okeechobee County has established a Special Needs Shelter Program to provide assistance for those with certain medical problems during a major emergency.

Emergency Management is responsible for maintaining the client rosters, operational logistics, and coordination of the Special Needs Shelter. Space at these shelters is limited so registration is required. A person with special needs may be any age.

To register please submit a completed registration form, and submit to Emergency Management for review in coordination with the Florida Department of Health - Okeechobee.

Register Online at: https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/

Special Needs Shelter — The Special Needs Shelter is a facility with nurses on staff. It has auxiliary electrical power, is wind resistant, and is not flood-prone. The shelter is not a medical facility and provides only limited services and supervision. The shelter does not provide medication, dialysis, oxygen or oxygen concentrators. This type of shelter has limited capacity and therefore requires pre-registration. Prioritization for the special needs shelter is based upon the following eligibility guidelines:

• A person requiring oxygen that can be manually supplied.

• A person medically dependent on uninterrupted electricity for therapies including, but not limited to: oxygen, nebulizer, CPAP/BiPAP, and feeding tubes. NOTE: Persons requiring a ventilator, and/or those with multiple special needs requiring a higher level of care may be referred to a skilled medical facility.

• A person with mental or cognitive limitations of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia requiring assistance of a full-time caregiver. NOTE: The caregiver is required to remain with them for the duration of the shelter event.

• General Population Shelter — General Population Shelters provide a safe haven in the event persons must evacuate their homes, and have no other alternative. Persons evacuating to a general population shelter should bring their own supplies such as blankets, toiletries/hygiene items, medications and clothing. All shelters in Okeechobee County meet the ADA requirements.

Printed forms may also be picked up at any of the following locations:

• Okeechobee County Library, 206 SW 16th St.
• Okeechobee Senior Services, 1690 NW 9th Ave.
• Okeechobee County BOCC Administration Office, 304 NW 2nd St., Rm 123

The Special Needs Application form is considered and treated as a confidential medical document. These records do not fall under public records laws. Contact our office for more information on this program.

Return completed forms to: Okeechobee County Emergency Management, 707 NW 6th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: 863-763-3212

Okeechobee County Shelter List

Special Needs Shelter
Category 3 or lower
Okeechobee County Health Department/Senior Service building
1728 NW 9th Ave.
(Primary Shelter)
Must pre-register

NOTE: Registration forms in English & Spanish can be located on the Special Needs Shelter Registration Page at https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/

General Population Shelters
(Others will be opened ONLY if necessary)

1. South Elementary School
(Primary Shelter and Pet Friendly Shelter)
2468 SW 7th Ave.

Secondary Shelters

2. Osceola Middle School
825 SW 28th Street

3. Central Elementary School
610 SW to Avenue

4. Everglades Elementary School
3725 SE 8th Street

5. North Elementary School
3000 NW 10th Terrace

6. Seminole Elementary School
2693 NW 42nd Ave.

7. Yearling Middle School
925 NW 23rd Lane

Okeechobee County Emergency Management Department
Phone: 863-763-3212

Community Information Line: 863-824-6888
Fax# 863-763-4565

Editor’s Note: Shelters will only be opened on an as-needed basis (at the discretion of the County Emergency Management Director).  Watch the Lake Okeechobee News Facebook page, or stay tuned to local radio and TV stations for announcements regarding shelter openings.