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San Mateo resident Lacy Thornton Jr. stands next to his cot and the rest of the supplies he needs to hunker down inside the Browning-Pearce Elementary School shelter until Hurricane Ian passes. -
A shelter employee at Kelley Smith Elementary School waits for possible shelter patrons Tuesday at the county’s hurricane shelter for people with special needs. -
A shelter employee and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputy wait outside Kelley Smith Elementary School on Tuesday for possible shelter patrons at the county’s shelter for people with special needs.
By Sarah Cavacini
and Daniel Egitto
Palatka Daily News
scavacini@palatkadailynews.com
degitto@palatkadailynews.com
Six storm shelters in Putnam County opened their doors Tuesday evening as Hurricane Ian approached Florida’s western coast.
As of Tuesday evening, Hurricane Ian was centered over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, moving north at a little over 10 mph. Mandatory evacuation orders had been issued for coastal communities, mobile homes and low-lying areas in numerous counties across the state. A storm surge warning was in effect for the Suwannee River and The St. Johns River.
On Tuesday, the governor’s office announced that 5,000 National Guard had been activated to armories across the state. A National Guard presence could be seen at the armory in Palatka on Tuesday.
The shelters will continue to welcome people seeking shelter from the turbulent weather today and Thursday.
Ochwilla Elementary School, 299 N. State Road 21 in Hawthorne, is a pet-friendly shelter for residents wanting to hunker down with their furry friends. People who have special needs can take cover from the storm at Kelley Smith Elementary School, 141 Kelley Smith School Road in Palatka.
People caring for residents with special needs should register through the Florida Special Needs Registry before seeking shelter at Kelley Smith Elementary. Registering will allow responders to offer assistance more quickly during an emergency, the Florida Department of Health said in a press release Monday.
People can sign in or create a Special Needs Registry Account at https://snr.flhealthresponse.com or visit eoc.putnam-fl.com.
According to the Department of Health, people eligible to go to a special needs shelter should have the following items in their emergency kit:
– List of medications and dosage
– A 30-day supply of medications
– Vital medical equipment for those who may be electrically or oxygen dependent
– Backup energy sources for essential medical equipment
– Any special dietary needs or food
– Personal information including a photo ID, insurance card, emergency contacts and your primary care provider’s contact information
The following shelters are also open across Putnam County:
– Robert H. Jenkins Elementary School, 251 S. State Road 315 in Interlachen.
– Q.I. Roberts Junior-Senior High School, 901 State Road 100 in Florahome.
– Middleton-Burney Elementary School, 1020 Huntington Road in Crescent City.
– Browning-Pearce Elementary School, 100 Bear Blvd. in San Mateo.
Shelter officials also recommended people bring snacks, books and other forms of entertainment, an eye mask, ear plugs, headphones, personal pillows and bedding.
As of Tuesday evening, few people had already sought shelter at Kelley Smith or Browning-Pearce, but shelter workers said they expected the numbers to increase today.
However, San Mateo resident Lacy Thornton Jr. stayed at Browning-Pearce Tuesday evening. He said he didn’t live too far away but resides in a travel trailer. He was one of about seven other people staying at the shelter.
Thornton originally planned to stay at Kelley Smith. But the 81-year-old is not oxygen-dependent, and shelter employees directed him to Browning-Pearce. He said he went home, grabbed his own cot and came back.
One neighbor, on the other hand, did not want to leave yet, Thornton said. Another one suggested Thornton check into a motel, but the shelters are free for people to use.
“I don’t like waiting until the last minute,” he said. “That’s when mistakes are made.”
People who stay in the shelters are served breakfast, lunch and dinner, and patrons at Browning-Pearce were just finishing up dinner around 7 p.m.
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners, which had numerous meetings Tuesday, also advised residents to take Hurricane Ian seriously. Commissioners said they will continue to monitor the storm.
County updates have been posted at facebook.com/PutnamCountyEM. Residents with questions can also call the county’s emergency hotline, which is being manned 24 hours a day, at 386-329-1904.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management also has an information line for Florida residents. The State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) aims to provide an additional resource for Floridians to receive up-to-date information regarding Hurricane Ian. Residents and visitors can call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-342-3557.
“Just be safe,” Commissioner Terry Turner said. “If you feel unsafe, go to one of the shelters. If you feel like you’re just not comfortable (at home), go to a shelter.”
Editor's note: an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated, based on information from the governor's office, that a mandatory evacuation order had been issued for some parts of Putnam County. Evacuation is not mandatory in Putnam County but is recommended for people who live in areas prone to flooding.