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Nicole is strengthening as it heads towards Florida's east coast and is expected to make landfall as a hurricane.
In preparation, Palm Beach and Indian River counties have announced storm shelters will open on Wednesday, November 9.
Palm Beach County
Shelters opening 7 a.m. Wednesday. Bring bedding, medications, and other necessities.
- Independence Middle School, 4001 Greenway Drive, Jupiter
- Palm Beach Gardens High School, 4245 Holly Drive, Palm Beach Gardens
- Palm Beach Central High School, 8499 W. Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington
- Park Vista High School, 7900 Jog Road, Lake Worth
- Lake Shore Middle School, 425 W. Canal Street N., Belle Glade
- Pahokee Middle-Senior High, 850 Larrimore Road, Pahokee
- Special Needs Shelter, Space limited. Prioritization based on need. Pre-registration required. Call 561-712-6400 for more information.
- Pet-Friendly Shelter, West Boynton Recreational Center, 6000 Northtree Boulevard, Lake Worth Beach *Only available to Palm Beach County residents in a mandatory evacuation zone, mobile home, or sub-standard housing. Proof of residency required. Equines, livestock, small barnyard animals, exotic pets, and reptiles are not accepted. Aggressive dogs may be refused. Pet owners NOT permitted to stay after dropping off pets. Owners and family members can go to the general population shelter next door at Park Vista High School.
Martin County
Shelters opening 9 a.m. Wednesday
- Port Salerno Elementary School, 3269 SE Lionel Terrace, Stuart
- Jensen Beach High School, 2875 NW Goldenrod Road, Jensen Beach
- Warfield Elementary School, 15260 SW 150th Street, Indiantown
- Pet-Friendly Shelter, Willoughby Learning Center, 5150 SE Willoughby Boulevard, Stuart (This shelter can accommodate 300 people.)
- Special Needs Shelter, Anderson Middle School, 7000 SE Atlantic Ridge Drive, Stuart
St. Lucie County
Shelters opening 10 a.m. Wednesday as a refuge of last resort. Bring something to sleep on; pillow, blanket and linens; 3 days of non-perishable food (for individual taste and/or special diet); 1-gallon drinking water per day for 3 days; medications in their prescription bottles; vital medical equipment; personal items including ID. More information at 772-460-4357 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. this week.
- Special Needs Shelter, Havert L. Fenn, 2000 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce
- General Population and Pet-Friendly Shelter, Fort Pierce Westwood Academy, 1801 Panther Lane, Fort Pierce *Bring approved carrier large enough for bedding, food/water bowls, and litter pans; proof of rabies vaccination.
- General Population Shelter, Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Boulevard, Port St. Lucie
Indian River County
Shelters opening 7 a.m. Wednesday. Call 772-226-4000 for more information.
- General Population Storm Shelter, VBHS Freshman Learning Center, 1507 19th Street, Vero Beach
- Pet-Friendly Storm Shelter, VBHS Freshman Learning Center - 800 Wing, Southwest side of campus off 17th Avenue, Vero Beach *Pets must be in a portable crate. They'll be housed in a separate area. Bring ID tag, leash, food and water bowls, proof of rabies & county license, pet’s medications, litter pan w/litter for cats, and toys.
- Special Needs Shelter, Treasure Coast Elementary School, 8955 85th Street, Sebastian
Okeechobee County
Shelters opening 8 a.m. Wednesday
- Special Needs Shelter, Department of Health, 1700 NW 9th Avenue *Registration required at this link
- General Population and Pet-Friendly Shelter, South Elementary, 2468 SW 7th Avenue *Pets must be registered with the county. Owners must provide a crate, up-to-date shot records, food for 3-5 days, water, and a litter box for cats.