FORT PIERCE – St. Lucie County Department of Public Safety and the American Red Cross will be adding a fourth shelter opening at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6.
The American Red Cross will operate three general population shelters on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m.
· Lakewood Park Elementary School, 7800 Indrio Road, Fort Pierce
· Samuel Gaines Elementary, 2250 Jenkins Road, Fort Pierce
· Treasure Coast High School, 1000 SW Darwin Blvd., Port St. Lucie
However, Fort Pierce Central High School, 4101 South 25th St., Fort Pierce, is scheduled to open at 10 a.m.
Residents planning to stay in a shelter should bring water, food, clothing, sheets, personal items, medications, important papers and miscellaneous items such as games, battery powered radios. No pets, alcohol or firearms are allowed in shelters.
The Public Information Hotline, 772-460-HELP (4357), will be activated starting Thursday at 8 a.m.
St. Lucie County will begin a mandatory evacuation for the barrier island starting Thursday morning. The evacuation order applies to all of Hutchinson Island and manufactured/mobile homes (due to wind), as well as homes in low-lying areas. This evacuation order is due to the predicted storm surge of 3-5 feet associated with Hurricane Matthew. Residents are urged to follow the evacuation order, as once conditions worsen, public safety officials will not put first responders in harm’s way. If residents on the barrier island have not pick up re-entry placards; they should bring along proof of residency such as a valid driver’s license or utilities bill.
St. Lucie County’s Special Needs Shelter (Havert L. Fenn Center, 2300 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce) is operational. If residents have not registered, but feel that they qualify for the Special Needs Shelter they can contact 772-462-8100.
Residents are reminded that information will be posted to St. Lucie County’s website (www.stlucieco.gov/hurricane) and social media sites (www.facebook.com/StLucieGov and Twitter @StLucieGov).
St. Lucie County beaches, parks and preserves are closed through Saturday, Oct. 8. Government offices are closed Thursday, Oct. 6 and Friday, Oct. 7, while all St. Lucie County Branch Libraries will be closed through the weekend, resuming normal hours on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
St. Lucie County’s Emergency Operations Center is expected to be fully activated Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m.
