With another storm season rolling in, Hillsborough County officials are turning up the volume on a message they say cannot wait for the next forecast. Residents who depend on medical equipment, oxygen or daily caregiving are being urged to pre‑register for Florida’s special‑needs shelters before the wind and rain start knocking out power and clogging evacuation routes. That early sign‑up helps emergency planners gauge how many people will need transportation, electricity and medical monitoring, and it can cut down on paperwork time once a shelter opens.
On June 22 the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County reminded residents to enroll in the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry, according to DOH‑Hillsborough. The county’s emergency‑management site walks people through the pre‑registration form and explains how to request help with transportation if you will need a ride, per Hillsborough County Emergency Management.
What special‑needs shelters provide and where they fall short
Special‑needs shelters are designed for people who require periodic medical observation, access to electricity for devices, or help with daily living tasks. What they are not is a full‑service hospital, and they do not offer continuous bedside nursing care. Forms must be submitted before June 1 each year to guarantee placement, according to the City of Tampa, and Florida Statute 252.355 requires agencies and service providers to assist eligible clients with getting on the registry, according to the Florida Statutes.
How to register
Hillsborough County urges residents to pre‑register through the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry and to indicate on the form whether they will need transportation or caregiver support, according to Hillsborough County Emergency Management. For anyone who needs help completing the paperwork, the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County runs a Special Needs Shelter Program phone line at (813) 307‑8063, DOH‑Hillsborough notes. Officials emphasize that pre‑registration does not guarantee admission, but it gives them a better shot at managing space and resources when large evacuations are ordered.
Why it matters
Emergency managers keep pointing back to recent history as proof that this is not overplanning. "In Hillsborough County alone, thousands of people were in shelters because of Hurricane Milton," a FOX 13 Tampa Bay video reminded viewers. Across the broader region, counties opened dozens of centers that housed thousands more during the 2024 season, which shows just how quickly shelter demand can spike, WUFT reports. With better headcounts and clearer lists of medical needs in advance, officials say they can line up transport, backup power and staffing more realistically.
Quick checklist
For those who end up heading to a special‑needs shelter, local guidance calls for a bare‑minimum go‑bag. That includes a list of medications with dosages, a 30‑day supply of those medications if possible, essential medical equipment and spare batteries, photo identification, insurance cards and emergency‑contact information. Service animals are allowed, but most pets are not. Caregivers are encouraged to accompany the person they support whenever possible, or at least to make sure their contact information is clearly listed on the registration form, the City of Tampa advises.
