6 LAKE COUNTY SHELTERS OPEN TODAY AT NOON

Hurricane Dorian is now a Category 5 Hurricane. The hurricane is expected to move closer to the Florida east coast late Monday through Tuesday night.
In Lake County, hurricane hazards may include heavy rainfall, high winds, inland flooding and tornadoes. Some hazards may come with little to no warning
​ “Some uncertainty remains in the forecast. A Florida landfall cannot be ruled out. Monitor closely for changes as Dorian is forecast to move very slowly as it makes its closest approach to the area.” said Thomas Carpenter, Director of the Office of Emergency Management
To accommodate residents of Lake County, special needs clients and those who may be evacuating from coastal counties, Lake County is opening the following six emergency shelters at noon on Monday, Sept. 2.

SHELTER LOCATIONS

GENERAL PUBLIC SHELTERS

• Mount Dora High, 700 N. Highland St., Mt. Dora

PUBLIC AND PET FRIENDLY SHELTERS

• Round Lake Elementary, 31333 Round Lake Road, Mt. Dora
• Spring Creek Elementary, 44440 Spring Creek Road, Paisley

PUBLIC, PET FRIENDLY AND SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTERS

• Leesburg Elementary, 2229 South St., Leesburg
• Lost Lake Elementary, 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont
• Umatilla Elementary, 401 Lake St., Umatilla

SUPPLIES TO BRING TO SHELTERS

• One gallon of water per person and pet for three days
• Non-perishable food and snacks for three days
• Foods that meet unusual dietary requirements
• Prescriptions and emergency medications
• Important personal documents and identification
• Extra clothing, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene supplies and other comfort items
• Supplies needed for children and infants, such as diapers, formula and toys
• Special items for family members who are elderly or disabled
• Chargers for small electronic devices like cell phones, tablets and laptops. Please do not bring household appliances.
• Books, games and other ways to entertain your family and yourself

PET SHELTER RULES & GUIDELINES

• Pets must be brought to shelters in a carrier or crate that is marked with the owner’s name, address and two phone numbers. Owners must have documentation of up-to-date rabies vaccinations for their pets. Owners are responsible for taking care of their pets. It is recommended pet owners bring all pet supplies, such as food and water, litter and litter box and leash. Pet owners are welcome to stay with their pets in the shelter's designated pet area until a lockdown is ordered.
• A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service dogs may remain with their owners at any emergency shelter. Comfort pets and emotional support animals will be treated as all other pets in pet-friendly shelters and must remain crated.
• Pet friendly emergency shelters are open only to domestic pets only. No livestock will be admitted. For livestock, it is recommended to safely mark animals and leave them in pastures.

CITIZENS INFORMATION LINE

Beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, the Citizens Information Line will remain open 24/7 until further notice. Those needing information should call 352-253-9999. To receive emergency notifications, register at www.alertlake.com.  ​

SAND BAG LOCATIONS

Sandbags will be available at five Lake County locations from 7 a.m. until dusk (or supplies run out.) Residents must bring their own shovels and are allowed to take 20 bags of sand per household per 24-hour period. No tools will be provided at sand deployment sites and residents are responsible for filling their own sandbags. Sandbags will only be offered during designated times before a storm threat. No sandbags will be dispensed during storm conditions. Sandbags operations will cease as announced after the storm threat is over.

Fire Station 10
23023 State Road 40, Astor
Fire Station 14
18840 County Road 42, Altoona
Fire Station 39
31431 Walton Heath Ave., Sorrento
Fire Station 110
6234 County Road 561, Clermont
Solid Waste Residential Convenience Center
1200 Jackson St., Lady Lake

LAKE COUNTY HAZARDS

mO. Residents are encouraged to develop a family communication plan, decide on a meeting location during an emergency, and prepare a disaster go-kit to include important personal, medical and legal documents. 
All residents, especially those living in manufactured homes, should have a safe shelter plan before an emergency strikes, to include access to a friend or relative’s site-built, fortified home 24 hours a day.
To be notified quickly of weather emergencies, residents should purchase a battery-powered NOAA weather radio.   Get more hurricane tips here.

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​