For Hendry County residents with special needs, hurricane preparation may require extra planning and effort.

The county’s emergency management department is the place to go for all hurricane-related information, with statistics, shelter locations, emergency information and more. https://www.hendryfla.net/emergency_management.php

The EMS recommends utilizing evacuation shelters as a last resort, when other options aren’t available. Those with disabilities aren’t required to shelter in a special needs shelter, many can be safely accommodated in a general population shelter.

Of its nine emergency evacuation shelters, LJ Noble Senior Center, at 475 E. Cowboy Way in LaBelle, is dedicated to those with special needs.

According to the EMS website, it’s special needs program is loaded with information on how to secure a spot at a shelter, what you need to do to prepare for emergency situations and evacuations. https://cms2.revize.com/revize/hendrycountyfl/MedicalSheltersWSidebar.htm

To access the special needs shelter, one must register in advance with the county as a Special Needs Person here: https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/. While advance registration is required, it does not guarantee you will be assigned a space in the special needs shelter. The Florida Department of Health will review the applications and assign each to a shelter where their needs can be managed.

The following information is provided by the Hendry County Emergency Management Department:

Eligibility for Special Needs Shelters

• People with special medical needs
• People whose care exceeds the basic first aid provided at general population shelters
• People with impairments or disabilities who are medically stable and do not require medical care
• People with disabilities are not required to go to a Special Needs Shelter. Some people with disabilities can be safely accommodated in a general population shelter

All Special Needs Shelter participants must bring a caregiver with them  to the designated Special Needs shelter. The caregiver must be able to:

• Assist you with all activities of daily living, including dressing and toileting.
• Lift you to/from toilet and cot and wheelchair as needed.
• Assist you with walking (with or without walker), assist with wheelchair.
• Transport food from the cafeteria to you as needed.
• Assist with medication and any treatments as needed.
• Monitor your oxygen usage.
• Provide evacuation center management with a discharge plan in the event that you cannot return to your home.

You are permitted to bring your spouse/significant other and dependents (limited to high school age and below, living in same household) with you in addition to your caregiver. Many times, the caregiver is a spouse/significant other; please be sure that they can fulfill the caregiver responsibilities outlined above.

There is no guarantee that household members will be housed in the same room as you or that bedding/cots are will be available for them.

Pets may be accepted at a Special Needs Shelter.  Hendry County Emergency Management advises that pets that are accepted will be kept in a separate area.

All pets must be current on vaccinations and have all necessary supplies (crate, food, etc.).

If you do not wish to be separated from your pet you may want to consider evacuating to a pet friendly hotel outside of the evacuation zone.

Once accepted into the Special Needs Program you will be advised by Emergency Management and informed of that shelters pet policy.

Note that weapons, smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited at all shelters.

Applications may be completed online or by paper (fax or snail mail). To download a copy of the application or to register go here: https://snr.flhealthresponse.com/

To enroll in English click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nf6g6FnHAUh64BtxJronoKF92e4VWGd1/view

To enroll in Spanish click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HujTz7PoYPfRdFOwllhIo8bT8dgeu5Lk/view

Paper applications may be mailed, emailed or faxed to Hendry County Emergency Management. Email to E911@hendryfla.net (it is recommended to submit applications early in the season as applications aren’t processed when Hendry County enters the five-day forecast cone of a storm).

To apply by mail, send to Hendry County Emergency Management, P.O. Box 340, LaBelle, Fla., 33975.

Fax your application to Hendry County Emergency Management to 863-674-4040.

Hendry County Emergency Management has compiled a checklist of things special needs individuals should include in their preparedness packs here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18u0k4DEWBZkQXvDJ8UsH4RYLfV0DS_Gz/view