• Where are hurricane shelters in Putnam County?
  

Browning-Pearce Elementary School RED CROSS CERTIFIED
Janice Pounds, Principal
Debra Buckles, Assistant Principal
100 Bear Boulevard
San Mateo, FL 32187

Ochwilla Elementary School RED CROSS CERTIFIED
Werner Hollaway, Principal
Beth Nelson, Assistant Principal
299 North State Road 21
Hawthorne, FL 32640

• Who staffs public hurricane shelters?
  

The American Red Cross Volunteer Teams (ARC), The Putnam County School District Staff (PCSD) and the Putnam County Amatur Radio Emergency Service (PCARES).

• How do I find out if shelters are open?
  

Putnam County Emergency Management information line at 386-329-0379 or on the web at  http://www1.putnam-fl.com/live/EMShelters.asp. You may also tune your radio to local stations such as HOPE 91.3FM for this infomation. For the most updated infomation please do not call any shelter site directly.

• How can I or my family be prepared for an emergency?
  

Have a family emergency preparedness plan to include emergency supplies, emergency meeting place, items to secure home etc. You can use this site to help you develop your plan www.floridadisaster.org

• If a hurricane strikes, will I need to evacuate?
  

If your home in Putnam county is within inland "surge zone" or FEMA desgnated flood zone it may be wise to consider a evacuation component in your disaster plan.  If your at risk at your home, go to a friend or family member's home that is capable of withstanding storm force winds or to a designated shelter.

• Who do I call if I have other questions re emergency management or disaster preparedness?
  

The Emergency Management Office, (386)329-0380 located at  120 Orie Griffin Blvd., Palatka, Fl. 32177.

• What and who is a ESF?
  

A ESF is a emergency (E) support (S) function (F). The ESF are essentially made up various County Departments, Agency(s) or group(s) that have been provided a Emergency Management responsibility per F.S. Chapter 252.