How special-needs residents can prepare for hurricane evacuations

When it’s time to evacuate for a hurricane, having a plan ahead of time is essential — especially if you have special needs. Hillsborough County has special needs shelters that can take care of residents who need medical equipment that requires electricity and individuals with physical or cognitive conditions that require assistance from medical professionals. Those who are eligible should pre-register as early as possible, said Meghan Pritts, preparedness planner for the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County. The department stops reviewing registrations 72 hours before a hurricane makes landfall, in order to transition to opening the shelters, Pritts said.

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Scoop News DeskPublished Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 4:57 PM UTCUpdated Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 5:44 PM UTC

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According to Jerry Stickney, the program’s director, pre-registering for special needs shelters helps the Sunshine Line plan. Those who plan to evacuate, also shouldn't wait until the last minute to leave, said Claire Maher, spokesperson for the Health Department in Hillsborough. “We’re going to have a lot of people on the roadways,” Maher said. “We want you to immediately come to us when that (evacuation) order is put in place.” Hillsborough County has multiple special needs shelters in the county, Maher said, and which shelter is open depends on the severity of the storm and its path.

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