Shelters opening as hurricane nears

Shelters in Palm Beach County will open Sunday morning, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday.

Which shelters and what time they will open was still being decided.

There are roughly 205,000 people in evacuation zones in the county, though not all of them live here at this time of year, DeSantis said.

The county will be able to accommodate those in evacuation zones at the shelters, he said.

Hurricane Dorian is expected to hit Florida as a Category 4 storm.

Broward County has not yet said whether it will open shelters, and said options were being considered Friday afternoon but nothing was decided.

Evacuations have not been ordered yet in South Florida.

There are 15 general shelters in Palm Beach County. The special needs shelter is at the South Florida Fair Expo Center at 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411.

The county’s pet friendly shelter is at the West Boynton Recreational Center at 6000 Northtree Blvd., Lake Worth, 33463. It will be open for residents who live in a mandatory evacuation zone, mobile home, or sub-standard housing. Proof of residency is required.

Pre-registration is no longer necessary. Once the pet-friendly shelter opens, guests will be accepted on a first-come, firstserved basis, and space is limited, so bring only what is necessary. Pets must be accompanied by only one owner, who will stay inside the shelter. Other family members must stay at the adjacent human shelter at Park Vista High School, with the exception of single parents with children. Livestock and reptiles are not accepted.

Earlier this week, Broward officials said they did not anticipate opening all 33 shelters, depending on Dorian’s path and strength.

In Broward, those requiring special needs should pre-register. Call Broward County Emergency Management at 954-831-3902.

Broward County offers three pet friendly shelters:

■ Everglades High School, 17100 SW 48th Court, Miramar, FL, 33027

■ Falcon Cove Middle School, 4251 Bonaventure Blvd., Weston, FL, 33332

■ Lyons Creek Middle School, 4333 Sol Press Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL, 33073

JIM RASSOL/SUN SENTINEL People seek shelter from Irma with their pets at the West Boynton Park and Recreation Center during Hurricane Irma in 2017. Palm Beach County shelters will open Sunday morning.