WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WVEC) — Hurricane Florence is getting ever closer to the East Coast, and ahead of the storm, two state-run shelters have opened for people.
One is at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. The other is at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, at the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center. It'll accommodate as many as 1,500 people evacuating. Crews have spent the entire day getting the shelters prepared ahead of the storm.
Important Shelter Information
- No identification or proof of residency is required to seek shelter.
- For a list of shelters open in your area, visit your local government’s website and social media pages.
- Bring your personal emergency-kit with you to the shelter. For information on putting together an emergency kit, visit http://www.vaemergency.gov/emergency-kit/.
- Be sure to include medications, hearing aid batteries, reading glasses, special medical equipment (oxygen tank, tubing, nebulizer kits, catheters, etc.).
- If you have electrical medical equipment that will need to be recharged, bring the appropriate charging cords, spare batteries and other equipment with you to the shelter.
- If your medication has run out, please bring your prescription bottle.
- For more information about locally available social services you can contact 2-1-1 statewide, or in some communities, you can call 3-1-1- for local information.
- If you need more shelter information, you can contact your locality social services department. Individuals contacting 2-1-1 who require relay service due to hearing impairment need to dial 7-1-1 for Virginia Relay then 1-800-230-6977.
- Service animals will be permitted at all shelters.
- Services will be available for people with disabilities and/or with access and functional needs regardless of whether they are accompanied by personal care providers or family.
- State-coordinated shelters will provide only basic, necessary services and support to help ensure disaster survivors are able to stay safe, healthy and can begin the recovery process.
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