Multiple shelters are now open throughout North Florida for people evacuating ahead of Hurricane Helene, which is forecasted to make landfall on Thursday morning in the Florida Gulf Coast area.

Below are county-by-county emergency shelters that are available.

Alachua County

Alachua County opened a special needs shelter at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and two pet-friendly general population shelters at 4 p.m.

Special needs shelters provide one cot per patient. Caregivers are asked to bring any needed bedding in case cots are unavailable. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods and any prescription medications. Also, bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts, and identification. Residents going to the special needs shelter should bring their caregivers.

General population shelters do not provide cots or beds. Bring any needed bedding. When packing to go to a shelter, please bring special dietary foods, baby food, diapers (and other child necessities), prescription medications, and a small cooler of ice if refrigeration is needed, as the shelter cannot be responsible for your medications. Also, bring spare clothing, personal care items (hygiene, toiletries, etc.), spare eyeglasses/contacts and identification.

Locations for shelters include:

• Special Needs Shelter: Alachua County Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34^th Blvd., Gainesville
  Opens at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 25. For information about transportation to the special needs shelter, call 352-955-2575.
• General population/Pet-friendly: Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th St., Gainesville
• General population/Pet-friendly: Easton-Newberry Sports Complex, 24880 NW 16th Ave., Newberry

Residents with pets are encouraged to bring basic pet supplies such as collars, leashes, crates, carriers, towels, blankets, pet medications, pet food, etc. Animal Resources will have supplemental supplies on hand for those in need. We encourage citizens to bring veterinary records indicating their pets are properly vaccinated

Animals, however, without such records will be vaccinated upon intake to minimize the spread of contagious diseases. Please remember that animals must be properly restrained throughout their stay at the emergency shelter for the safety of all involved citizens and pets.

Text the word ALACHUA to 888-777 for the latest information.

Columbia County

Columbia County will open four general population and one special needs emergency shelter locations at 7 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26.

None of the locations will be open to pets or animals.

The emergency shelter locations provide shelter and restrooms for individuals seeking refuge from Hurricane Helene. The only items provided at the shelters are cots for sleeping, water and limited food. Please bring only the essentials that you will need for sheltering. Firearms and alcohol are not permitted.

Columbia County asks that, due to limited space at the shelters, residents seek shelter first with family and friends who have a safe and secure building structure.

The locations are:  

• General population: Winfield Community Center, 1324 NW Winfield St. Lake City
• General population: Fort White High School gym, 17828 SW State Road 47, Fort White
• General population: Deep Creek Community Center, 11934 N. US Hwy 441, Lake City.
• General population: Richardson Community Center, 255 NE Coach Anders Ln., Lake City
• Special Needs Shelter: Westside Elementary School, 1956 SW County Road 252B, Lake City

Gilchrist County

All shelters will open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and the locations are as follows:

• Special Needs Center: Bell High School Health Academy, 930 S Main St., Bell.
• General population: Bell High School, 930 S Main St., Bell.
• General population: Trenton Elementary School, 1350 SW SR, Trenton.

Levy County

Levy County has issued a mandatory evacuation order issued for:

• Recreational vehicle parks throughout the county, and they shall be removed from the county to the maximum extent possible.
• Mobile Homes and Manufactured homes throughout the county.
• Coastal Communities in the county.
• Low-lying areas throughout the county.

Shelters will be open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and the locations are:

• General population: Bronson Middle High School, 351 Ishie Ave., Bronson
• General population: Williston Middle High School, 350 Robert Philpot Way, Williston
• Pet-friendly: Bronson Middle High School, 351 Ishie Ave., Bronson
  Citizens with animals needing shelter must bring a crate, food, bottled water (one gallon jug per animal), and medications. Owners must provide a Rabies vaccine certificate and proof of distemper parvo/ feline distemper vaccine.
  Levy County Animal Services will provide vaccines for an additional $10.00 per vaccine. If you cannot provide proof of vaccinations, your animal will be sheltered at the Levy County Animal Control shelter.
• Special Needs Shelter: Bronson Elementary School, 400 Ishie Ave., Bronson

Dixie County

Dixie County announced shelter locations in three separate counties:

• General population: Dixie County High School, 17924 SE Hwy 19, Cross City. Opens at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. No pets allowed.  
• Special Needs Center: Bell High School Health Academy, 930 S Main St., Bell
• Pet-friendly: Bronson Middle High School, 351 Ishie Ave., Bronson
  Citizens with animals needing shelter must bring a crate, food, bottled water (one gallon jug per animal), and medications. Owners must provide a Rabies vaccine certificate and proof of distemper parvo/ feline distemper vaccine.
  Levy County Animal Services will provide vaccines for an additional $10.00 per vaccine. If you cannot provide proof of vaccinations, your animal will be sheltered at the Levy County Animal Control shelter.

Suwannee County

A voluntary evacuation order has been issued in Suwannee County. Shelters will open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the following locations:

• General population: Branford Elementary School, 26801 State Road 247, Branford
• General population / Pet friendly: Suwannee Pineview Elementary School, 1748 Ohio Ave, Live Oak
• Special Needs Shelter: Suwannee Springcrest Elementary School, 1419 Walker Ave SW, Live Oak

Officials ask that the shelters be used as a last resort and provide minimum levels of comfort and provision. Residents needing a shelter are urged to bring bedding, snacks, medication and other comfort items they may need.