Below is a list of emergency shelters in the Central Florida region (Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties) that may open during hurricanes or other disasters. Shelter availability depends on the event, so always confirm openings with local emergency management or www.floridadisaster.org before heading out. 

Brevard County

• South Mainland Community Center: 3700 Allen Ave., Micco (general population)
• Walter Butler Community Center: 4201 N. Cocoa Blvd., Cocoa (general population)
• Wickham Park Community Center: 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne (general population)
• Ted Whitlock Community Center: 370 Championship Cir. NW, Palm Bay (special needs)

Note: Shelters often open for residents in mobile homes, flood-prone areas, or those needing safe harbor. Check www.brevardfl.gov for updates.

Lake County

• Eustis High School: 1300 E. Washington Ave., Eustis (general population)
• Leesburg High School: 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg (general population)
• Mount Dora High School: 700 N. Highland St., Mount Dora (general population)
• Tavares High School: 603 N. New Hampshire Ave., Tavares (general population)
• Round Lake Elementary: 31333 Round Lake Rd., Mount Dora (general population)
• Spring Creek Elementary: 44440 Spring Creek Rd., Paisley (general population)
• Treadway Elementary: 10619 Treadway School Rd., Leesburg (general population)
• Lost Lake Elementary: 1901 Johns Ave., Clermont (special needs)

Note: Lake County provides pet-friendly options at some shelters; bring crates and vaccination records. Verify at www.lakecountyfl.gov.

Marion County

• West Port High School: 3733 SW 80th Ave., Ocala (special needs, pet-friendly with documentation)
• Vanguard High School: 7 NW 28th St., Ocala (pet-friendly)
• Fort McCoy School: 16160 NE County Rd. 315, Fort McCoy (general population)

Note: Bring food, water, and pet supplies. Contact the citizen helpline at 352-369-7500 or visit www.marionfl.org for updates.

Orange County

• Edgewater High School: 3100 Edgewater Dr., Orlando (general population)
• Memorial Middle School: 2220 29th St., Orlando (general population)
• Oak Ridge High School: 6000 Winegard Rd., Orlando (general population)
• Ocoee High School: 1925 Ocoee Crown Point Pkwy., Ocoee (general population)
• Bithlo Community Center: 18501 Washington Ave., Orlando (special needs)
• John Bridges Community Center: 445 W. 13th St., Apopka (special needs)

Note: Shelters typically open by 6 p.m. on activation day. Pet-friendly options available; bring crates and supplies. Check www.ocfl.net.

Osceola County

• St. Cloud High School: 2000 Bulldog Ln., St. Cloud (general population)
• Harmony High School: 3601 Arthur J. Gallagher Blvd., St. Cloud (general population)
• Osceola Heritage Park: 1875 Silver Spur Ln., Kissimmee (general population)
• Celebration High School: 1809 Celebration Blvd., Celebration (special needs)

Note: Confirm openings at www.osceola.org. Bring bedding and supplies, as shelters are bare-bones.

Polk County

• Bartow High School: 1270 S. Broadway Ave., Bartow (general population)
• Jere L. Stambaugh Middle School: 226 N. Main St., Auburndale (general population)
• Stephens Elementary: 1350 N. Maple Ave., Bartow (general population)
• Spessard L. Holland Elementary: 2342 E.F. Griffin Rd., Bartow (general population)
• Citrus Ridge Academy: 1775 Sand Mine Rd., Davenport (general population)
• Horizons Elementary: 1700 Forest Lake Dr., Davenport (general population)
• Loughman Oaks Elementary: 4600 US Hwy. 17-92 N., Davenport (general population)
• Ridge Community High School: 500 Orchid Dr., Davenport (special needs)
• Lake Region High School: 1995 Thunder Rd., Eagle Lake (pet-friendly)
• Tenoroc High School: 4905 Saddle Creek Rd., Lakeland (pet-friendly)

Note: Do not proceed until shelters are confirmed open. Call (863) 298-7000 or visit www.polk-county.net.

Seminole County

• Lake Brantley High School: 991 Sand Lake Rd., Altamonte Springs (general population)
• Lyman High School: 865 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood (general population)
• Lawton Elementary: 2988 Lake Helen Osteen Rd., Oviedo (special needs)

Note: Pet-friendly shelters require crates and proof of rabies vaccination. Verify at www.seminolecountyfl.gov.

Sumter County

• Wildwood Community Center: 6500 Powell Rd., Wildwood (general population)
• Sumter County Fairgrounds: 7620 SR 471, Bushnell (general population)
• South Sumter High School: 706 N. Main St., Bushnell (special needs)

Note: Check www.sumtercountyfl.gov for activation status.

Volusia County

• Creekside Middle School: 6801 Airport Rd., Port Orange (general population)
• University High School: 1000 W. Rhode Island Ave., Orange City (general population)
• Mainland High School: 1255 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach (general population)
• DeLand High School: 800 N. Hill Ave., DeLand (general population)
• Hinson Middle School: 1860 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach (general population)
• Galaxy Middle School: 2400 Eustace Ave., Deltona (general population)
• Volusia County Fairgrounds: 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand (pet-friendly)

Note: Bring supplies for at least 72 hours. Confirm openings at www.volusia.org.

Additional Notes

• Special Needs Shelters: Designed for those needing medical assistance (e.g., oxygen, dialysis). Pre-register with your county’s emergency management office or www.floridahealth.gov.
• Pet-Friendly Shelters: Require crates, vaccination records, and supplies. Service animals are always welcome at Red Cross shelters.
• General Tips: Shelters are a last resort—evacuate to friends, family, or hotels if possible. Bring bedding, food, water, and medications, as supplies are limited. Follow local alerts via county websites or text services (e.g., Orange County’s AlertOC).
• Real-Time Updates: Visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status for current shelter openings. NeighborhoodSpaces.com can connect you to local groups for additional support.

For the latest information, contact your county’s emergency management office or check the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Shelter Information Index. Stay safe, and prepare early!