Orange County opened 11 general population shelters for individuals and pets needing to evacuate or seek shelter from Hurricane Milton. Shelters for Persons with Special Needs (PSN) are also open.
IDs are not required to enter a shelter. Households in flood-prone areas or mobile home structures should consider sheltering with family or friends living outside of these areas, according to local officials.
The Orange County shelter locations are:
General Population
- Apopka High School (pet friendly) – 555 Martin St, Apopka, FL 32712
- Carver Middle School (pet friendly) – 4500 W. Columbia Street, Orlando, FL32811-4052
- Colonial High School (pet friendly) – 6100 Oleander Dr, Orlando, FL 32807
- Lake Buena Vista High School – 11305 Daryl Carter Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836
- Lake Nona High School (pet friendly) – 12500 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando, FL 32832
- Oak Ridge High School – 700 W. Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, FL 32809
- Ocoee High School – 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Pkwy, Ocoee, FL 34761
- Odyssey Middle School – 9290 Lee Vista Blvd, Orlando, FL 32829
- Timber Springs Middle School – 16001 Timber Park Ln, Orlando, FL 32828
- Union Park Middle School (pet friendly) – 1844 Westfall Dr, Orlando, FL 32817
- Wedgefield K-8 School – 3835 Bancroft Blvd, Orlando, FL 32833
Persons with Special Needs
- Freedom High School (pet friendly) (Open Wednesday, Oct. 9 by 8 a.m.)
- Goldenrod Recreation Center (pet friendly)
- Silver Star Recreation Center (pet friendly)
- South Econ Recreation Center (pet friendly)
Orange County residents requiring a PSN Shelter should dial 3-1-1 or 407-836-3111. LYNX will provide free service to shelter locations.
What to bring to a local hurricane shelter? Orange County officials recommend:
- Water and food (3-day supply)
- Clothing and bedding
- Personal items, toiletries and medications
- First-aid supplies
- Important papers
- Miscellaneous items like games, toys, battery-powered radios and flashlights
- Identification card
- Medical Information card
- Daily prescriptions (2-week supply)
- Non-prescription medicines (2-week supply)
- Mobile phone charger, if needed
- Other special items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, prosthetic devices, walkers, special dietary foods, etc.
- Medical supplies that you utilize on a daily basis, this includes any portable oxygen, cannula, diabetes testing kit, nebulizer, etc.
- A book, magazine, or something to occupy your time while you wait for the storm to pass
The American Red Cross and/or Salvation Army provides food at the shelters. You are encouraged to bring some food, snacks, and water with you.
Orange County provides general population shelters for Central Florida residents who have been evacuated from their homes, for those who live in low-lying areas, and for others seeking shelter from a storm. Shelters are alcohol, drug and weapon free. Individuals should come prepared with supplies.