View the latest news releases on available shelters on our News page.
- Liberty Elementary School Closed
370 Atwater St. Port Charlotte
Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2024, 8 a.m. - Neil Armstrong Elementary School Closed
22100 Breezeswept Ave. Port Charlotte
Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2024, 8 a.m. - Kingsway Elementary School Open
23300 Quasar Blvd. Port Charlotte
Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2024, 8 a.m. - Harold Avenue Regional Park Recreation Center Open
23400 Harold Ave. Port Charlotte
Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2024, 8 a.m.
Babcock Neighborhood Schools Open
43301 Cypress Parkway, Punta Gorda
Last Updated: Oct. 8, 2024, 8 a.m.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Shelter
- Babcock Ranch School Field House Open
43281 Cypress Parkway, Babcock Ranch
Last Updates: Oct. 8, 2024, 8 a.m.
Warning: Charlotte County has no certified Red Cross shelters. In the event of a hurricane Charlotte County staffed shelters may be opened for citizens to take shelter. All are pet friendly. Charlotte County shelters of last resort may not be able to open depending on the size and direction of an approaching storm. Check local media and this website to ascertain which location may be open.
- Sleeping bag, sleeping pad and/or blankets and pillow
- Personal flashlight & headlamps
- Disinfectant supplies, hand sanitizer, soap, cloth face coverings
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Soap – you may choose to purchase body wipes for quick wipe downs instead of soap
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cell phones chargers/backup battery
- Extra sets of clothes suitable for the season
- Extra socks and sturdy shoes
- Food or snacks (72+ hours worth)
- Books or magazine
- Prescription medications, eyeglasses
- Important documents
- Pet care items
- Pet food and water
- Proper identification
- Medical records/microchip info/vaccination papers
- A carrier or cage
- Muzzle and leash
- Water and food bowls
- Medications
Shelter space is extremely limited and all other means of evacuation and sheltering should be considered before going to a public shelter. In the event of a hurricane, one or more Charlotte County-staffed shelters may be opened, depending on the size and direction of an approaching storm. Check local media and this website to find open location(s). Shelters will have an increased amount of space per individual/family for social distancing purposes, routine sanitizing of common areas, and make available hand washing materials and hand sanitizer if possible. It is best to bring sanitizing supplies if you have them. Bring your own cloth face coverings for everyone in your family, as well as hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes/cleaner. Families will be allowed to share the space assigned to them, with appropriate distance requirements between each family. Public shelters do not have cots, bedding or generators and you will have limited space.