St. Johns County Special Medical Needs Shelter Requirements
October 8, 2024, 6 p.m. – As part of St. Johns County’s emergency preparedness efforts, a Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Freedom Crossing Academy, located at 1365 Shetland Drive, St. Johns. This shelter is specifically designed for individuals with medical needs that cannot be accommodated in a general population shelter. St. Johns County has issued an evacuation order effective at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9, for all of Evacuation Zone A, all of Evacuation Zone B, and the part of Evacuation Zone F that is south of State Road 206.
Eligibility
Not all individuals are eligible to utilize the Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter. Space is reserved for those who rely on electricity for medical equipment or require oxygen therapy.
The Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter is not a substitute for regular health care. Basic medical assistance and monitoring will be available, but individuals must come with a caregiver to ensure they maintain their accustomed level of care. Shelter staff will not be able to provide one-on-one care.
Advanced Medical Care
The Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter is not equipped with advanced medical equipment and is not staffed to provide advanced levels of care. Individuals requiring advanced care, such as hospital beds, dialysis, ventilators, tracheostomy care, or Hoyer lifts, should discuss alternative sheltering arrangements with their caregivers or healthcare providers before evacuating.
If ambulance transportation or access to hospital facilities is needed, individuals or their caregivers should make those arrangements in advance, as the Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter is not a hospital.
Additional Shelter Information
In addition to the Special Medical Needs Storm Shelter, two other shelters will open at the same time:
- Pet-Friendly Shelter: South Woods Elementary School, 4750 State Road 206 West, Elkton
- General Population Shelter: Pedro Menendez High School, 600 State Road 206 West, St. Augustine
Residents requiring transportation to a storm shelter should call the Emergency Management Citizen Information Hotline at 904-824-5550. Transportation will be provided.
Supplies Needed
Evacuees are advised to bring their own supplies for personal comfort, including bedding, a five-day supply of water, non-perishable food, medication, and other personal items. Suggested items include:
- A five-day supply of medications and a cooler if diabetic
- Personal hygiene items
- Extra clothing and eyeglasses
- Books, games, and other leisure items
- Flashlight and batteries
- Important identification and papers
For More Information
For detailed evacuation information, route maps, and updates, visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane or call the Citizen Information Hotline at 904-824-5550.
St. Johns County Emergency Management encourages the public to stay informed through these options:
- Follow St. Johns County Emergency Management on Facebook (facebook.com/StJohnsEOC) and X/Twitter (x.com/StJohnsEOC).
- Sign up for the Alert St. Johns emergency notification system at www.sjcemergencymanagement.com.
- Ensure the notification settings selected allow you to be alerted at all times for your safety.
- Register for Nixle Alerts by texting StJohnsEOC to 888777.
- Download the SJC Connect app at www.sjcfl.us/sjc-connect.
- Enable notifications within the app to receive real-time updates.