An emergency shelter is a place for people to live temporarily when they cannot live in their home. Even though mass care shelters often provide water, food and basic sanitary facilities, you should plan to take your disaster supplies kit with you so you will have the supplies you require. Although shelter staff may be able to help you get in touch with a doctor to see bout replacing your prescription medications, its best to plan to bring your own supply.

There are many sites throughout Jackson County that are suitable for emergency shelters. It’s important to remember that emergency shelter locations are only opened based on the needs of an ongoing event. Jackson County doesn’t have ‘pre-designated’ shelters prior to disasters. Rather, the number and locations of shelters opened will be based on the incident and available resources after the disaster occurs.

Mass care sheltering can involve living with many people in a confined space, which can be difficult and unpleasant. To avoid conflicts in the stressful situation, it is important to cooperate with shelter managers and others assisting them. Alcoholic beverages and weapons are forbidden in emergency shelters, and smoking is restricted.

Keep in mind that while service animals are allowed, most shelters do not allow pets. In Jackson County, our intention is co-locate a pet shelter with the emergency human shelter thus allowing people to bring and care for their pets in the same location. We believe this reduces stress on both the pet and the pet owner.

Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). Ex: Shelter 01234 (standard rates apply). Red Cross has shelter apps available for both Android and iOS devices.

The American Red Cross Safe and Well program provides additional information for you.

When disasters strike, loved ones can become separated. If you have been affected by a disaster, you can register yourself on the Safe and Well website, where your loved ones can search for information about you. If you are having trouble reaching your loved ones in a disaster area, you can search on Safe and Well to see if they have registered.

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