Special Needs

Special Needs Sheltering

Palm Beach County has established a Special Needs Shelter Program to provide shelter for residents with certain medical problems during a major emergency. The Special Needs Shelter is a facility with physicians and nurses on staff.  It has auxiliary electrical power, is wind resistant, and not flood-prone. The shelter is not a medical facility and provides limited services. The shelter does not provide medication, dialysis, oxygen or oxygen concentrators. The shelter is only open for a short duration during specific emergencies.

The Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management is responsible for maintaining the client rosters, operational logistics, and coordination of the Special Needs Shelters. Space at these shelters is limited.  Prioritization is based on need.​

Or download, print and complete the application, and mail it to:

Special Needs Coordinator
20 South Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415

Special Needs Shelter Criteria

• Persons who cannot be without electricity because they depend upon their own electrically energized life support equipment within the home (i.e. oxygen, nebulizers, G/NG Tubes, uncomplicated IV, etc).
• Persons that require assistance with transferring or need a Hoyer Lift.
• Persons receiving assistance with activities of daily living who need a place to evacuate with their caregiver.
• Persons who with progressive Alzheimer’s or Dementia who need a place to evacuate with their caregiver.

Caregivers must accompany their patients.